Briefing document | March 2019

LAND AT EASTNOR HOUSE, DUCKLINGTON WAY, WITNEY

View of scheme from corner of New Close Lane

This short briefing from Hinton Group provides an overview of Notwithstanding Travelodge’s operational requirements, in revised proposals for a Travelodge Hotel and Costa Coffee drive- approving the application there were observations from the thru on previously developed land at Eastnor House, Ducklington Committee on the need for more hotel accommodation in Witney Lane, Witney. and that the number of rooms in the consented proposal could have been increased. Planning permission for a 37 room Travelodge Hotel and Costa Coffee drive-thru was granted last year following a resolution to In light of this and following further dialogue with WODC officers, approve the proposals from members of West Oxfordshire District Hinton Group is proposing a revised scheme to deliver a 63-room Council’s Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee (WODC) in July Travelodge hotel alongside the Costa Coffee drive-thru. The new 2018. 63-room hotel would be accommodated in a three-storey building broadly similar in height to the approved 37-room hotel scheme. Since the grant of planning permission, Travelodge has encountered significant challenges in viably developing and operating ahotel The revised proposal is a viable commercial option for Travelodge, with only 37 rooms, which is somewhat below their latest operating which would enable them to open a new hotel in Witney and meet requirements. local demand for value hotel accommodation, providing benefits for Witney through job creation, economic development and tourism.

WHAT IS PROPOSED? • 63 room Travelodge hotel: Planning officers have advised • 71 car parking spaces: Car parking provision is proposed to that a contemporary scheme design is appropriate in order to be increased from 59 spaces to 71 spaces. This increase in ensure that additional rooms could be incorporated without parking provision has been agreed with OCC Highways as creating a significant change to the height of the approved acceptable. The proposed access to the site from Ducklington hotel building. At the highest point the revised proposal Lane remains as originally proposed for the consented would be just 10cm higher than the consented building and planning application. would be positioned in the same location on the site. All building plant would be located in integral plant enclosures. • Enhanced landscaping: The buffer zone to Colwell Brook is retained and additional landscaping has been incorporated • Costa Coffee drive-thru: The proposed Costa Coffee drive- across the site when compared with the approved scheme. thru remains unchanged from the consented planning In particular, additional planting is proposed across the car application. park. View of scheme from Witney Road

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT

Hinton Group has engaged collaboratively with WODC and Witney Town Council from the outset and sought to respond positively to feedback provided. These revised proposals have evolved following pre-application discussions with WODC officers and members.

Hinton Group has also met with members of Witney Town Council to present the revised proposals and is encouraged that more hotel rooms on the site could be considered beneficial. Hinton Group has also met and briefed Duckington Parish Council on the proposals.

BENEFITS FOR WITNEY

• The creation of new employment opportunities, with • Travelodge’s introduction will enhance Witney’s existing 9 full time and 12 part time roles, a small increase on attraction as a tourist and business destination. the consented scheme. Travelodge is committed to recruitment through Job Centre Plus local employer • The new hotel will meet Travelodge’s identified local partnerships, alongside actively working with the demand for value hotel accommodation and Costa employment priorities of individual Councils. Coffee’s identified need for a drive-thru facility in Witney. This will boost the local economy through new • Additional direct and in-direct employment, business and tourism visitors to the town. Information apprenticeships and local expenditure arising during from Travelodge guest surveys confirm that a high scheme construction. All Travelodge staff benefit from proportion of guests will visit local restaurants, pubs training, with the aim for all staff to achieve at least a and other facilities during their stay, supporting the Level Two national vocational qualification. local economy.