Robin Hood Hotel plans approved

A £5.5m redevelopment of the Robin Hood Hotel site in Newark has been given the unanimous backing of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee.

A new application for the partial demolition of the hotel while retaining the listed facade and integrating it into a new 66-bedroom Travelodge got the green light on Tuesday.

But before work can start the application has to be referred to the National Planning Case Unit. It will decide if it should be called in for determination by the Secretary of State.

Committee chairman Mr David Payne said it was a pity it had to be referred but it was a requirement and not a delaying tactic.

He felt the scheme fulfilled virtually all they could possibly expect and it would be churlish not to support it.

The Beaumond Cross frontage of the hotel, once Newark’s finest, comprises three Grade II listed houses.

The application has three commercial units for assorted uses and the hotel foyer on the ground floor with bedrooms on the first and second.

Committee member Mr Roger Blaney supported the application and said the scheme would bring substantial benefits to Newark and its economy.

“The suggested application incorporates the return of a hotel to the site and I welcome it,” he said.

The restoration of the hotel had been part of the consent granted to developer MF Strawson for the wider Asda-led scheme of the supermarket, retail units, a new bus station and the relocation of the Lombard Medical Centre on the council’s former Potterdyke carpark.

“I do sincerely hope the committee will unanimously support this and, 14 years after a master plan for the site was adopted, we can see completion of the site and a very welcome addition to Newark,” Mr Blaney said.

Mr Peter Duncan welcomed the application and said it was one that allowed everyone to win.

“First and foremost the people of Newark will see the removal of an ugly eyesore,” he said.

“I give this application enthusiastic support. Let’s see it started without delay.”

The hotel would create up to 71 full-time equivalent jobs.

The multi-storey NCP would remain open overnight to provide parking for guests.

Newark Town Council raised no objection and members welcomed more hotel accommodation in the town. Newark Business Club supported it, but had concerns about the extra traffic it would create.

The Society For The ProtectionOf Ancient Buildings said they were disappointed that a new application had been submitted and said, on balance, it comprised more demolition than retention.

The hotel has been empty since 1999 and the unlisted parts were demolished eight years ago.

Newark MP Mr Robert Jenrick asked for the earlier approval — to demolish the hotel in its entirety and replace it with the Travelodge — to be called-in.

Mr Jenrick said this week: “I am broadly supportive of the revised plan, which retains the historic frontages and appearance at street level, while enabling a much-needed hotel to be built behind them.

“This sensible compromise should be a win-win for Newark.

“I stepped in to prevent the previous proposal as it would have created an ugly building, out of keeping with the town’s architecture.

“I am pleased that, with the help of the then Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, we were effectively able to block that.

“Closing this chapter would be appreciated by all in Newark.”