Matlock Premier Inn plans given the go–ahead

Derbyshire Dales District Council’s central and northern area planning committee gave the nod to plans to build a Premier Inn on derelict land in front of Arc Leisure, off Bakewell Road.

Speaking in the meeting on Tuesday, Helen Binns, of Whitbread, which owns the hotelier, said: “Whitbread has been looking for a site in Matlock for many years now and this is the only site that meets their requirements.

“Premier Inn does not currently have a presence in the town or anywhere in the Matlock area – the nearest Premier Inn is in Ripley.”

She added that the company carried out a public consultation prior to submitting the planning application to the council and had received positive feedback.

“The focal point must remain the Arc,” Helen continued.

“We have made sure that views from the Arc will be protected.”

She explained that the hotel would bring 30 jobs to the town and offers its employees training schemes.

Councillor Mike Ratcliffe commented: “I think this piece of land had started to look dilapidated so I welcome the fact that we are going to address the massive visual impact that this rather forlorn site has on the Arc.”

Cllr Judith Twigg added: “It will be so nice for the approach to Matlock.”

The £4million hotel development will feature 60 bedrooms plus associated parking and an on site restaurant.

The building has been specially designed to echo the style of Arc Leisure, which in sits in front of.

Cllr Bob Cartwright said the development would go some way to answering Matlock’s need for hotel accommodation and help promote Matlock as a tourist destination.

He added that the town was beginning to see the fragmented rejuvenation of Bakewell Road.

Cllr Steve Flitter said: “We have always tried to encourage day visitors to stay in the area.

“If we get what the picture shows then we have got a good development that will be a credit to the town and a credit to Premier Inn and I give it my full support.”

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the application.

Do you think this is what Matlock needs?

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