THE Premier Inn in Ross-on-Wye is set to be increased by 20 hotel en-suite bedrooms aiding the economic growth of the area.

The hotel chain has identified a considerable demand for additional budget hotel accommodation in this area and is seeking planning permission to extend the building to provide additional bedrooms, together with alterations to the car park and associated works.

Currently the Ross Premier Inn is a 53-bedroom hotel set over two-storeys.

The existing building is rectangular in form with the principal elevation facing towards Ledbury Road.

The existing building has symmetrical window alignment between the ground and first floor with the first-floor windows being wall dormers to both front and rear elevations.

The entrance lobby is differentiated from the two main wings of the existing hotel by the ridge height being set down slightly and with a single-storey storm porch which highlights the location of the hotel reception.

The site is not located within a conservation area, nor are there any listed buildings on or near the site. The proposed extension will be located to the north end of the existing building, which is currently occupied by car parking for nine vehicles.

The two-storey extension will provide 20 bedrooms and will extend directly from the existing hotel’s northern elevation.

The proposed finishes for the extension are similar to the existing hotel and complement the existing external finishes found within the site and would be built on previously developed land and would represent a more efficient use of the site without needing to expand into the surrounding countryside.

The proposal would initially result in some parking spaces being lost from the existing car park. However, as part of the proposal, an additional two parking spaces would be created, which results in an overall parking provision on the site of 97 spaces for the shared use between the hotel and the restaurant (Traveller’s Rest).

However, the proposal would result in the loss of some existing landscaping features along the boundary, which includes five trees, but the application sets out proposals for 23 replacement trees being planted within the site.

In 2011 the hotel was first expanded by 16 new ensuite bedrooms which were added to the original building.

Comments on the application, number P260062/F, can be made via Herefordshire Council’s planning portal until Friday, February 13.

For more information about planning applications in your area visit publicnoticeportal.uk.