£5million Premier Inn go-ahead a first for Newton Abbot

MAJOR plans for a 60-bed Premier Inn hotel and Beefeater restaurant at Newton Abbot Racecourse have been approved.

Up to 70 jobs are expected to be created after multi-million-pound plans submitted to planners by Whitbread Plc and Newton Abbot Races Ltd were given the go-ahead.

It is the first major hotel chain to establish a presence in Newton Abbot.

Work is expected to start on the scheme in January with construction taking up to 32 weeks.

Whitbread Plc says it hopes the hotel and restaurant will be open by autumn 2011.

The plans were approved by Teignbridge Council under officer’s delegated powers.

The £5.5million project is planned for 2.24 acres of land on the western boundary of the 93-acre site next to Newton Road. It is currently used as a car park.

A spokesman for Whitbread Plc said: “This is a very exciting development for us and for Newton Abbot Races. Newton Abbot has been a key site for Whitbread for some time, so we are delighted planning permission has been approved.

“We aim to be on-site in the middle of January to start work. We are anticipating a 32-week building project and the new facilities should be open by autumn 2011.

“In terms of jobs, we are looking at employing between 60 to 70 full-time equivalents.”

In June planning permission was refused by Teignbridge Council under delegated powers.

Planners claimed the contemporary design and siting of the buildings opposite Tesco supermarket were not in keeping with the surrounding area.

They also raised concerns about traffic access, congestion and pollution.

Whitbread Plc branded the decision a ‘bitter blow’ and threatened to appeal.

Instead it later submitted new plans with minor alterations which were approved.

Newton Abbot Racecourse has been undergoing a transformation.

Already £300,000 has already been spent on new and replacement buildings including a new stable lads canteen and an owners’ and trainers’ reception.

Pat Masterson, the managing director of Newton Abbot Racecourse, told the Herald Express: “We are absolutely delighted plans have been approved.

“It has been a long road, we have waited two years to get to this point.

“Not only will it enhance the profile of the racecourse, but it will enhance the profile of Newton Abbot.

“Economically it will give a boost.

“It will be just what the town needs.”