PLANS to build a new Premier Inn in Bude have altered slightly, with the possibility of a 67-bedroom hotel being built instead of the original 62-bedroom Premier Inn.

The site is currently home to the Strand Hotel, and in November 2015 full planning permission was granted to demolish the existing building and build a 62-bedroom hotel in its place, along with a bar and restaurant.

However, following the sale of the hotel site to Premier Inn, as well as recent surveys, plans have resulted in a new application of a 67-bedroom hotel with a bar and restaurant.

As well as this, the application requires deliveries to be made from a new loading bay at the front of the site.

Planning permission isn’t required for this, and a Traffic Regulation Order has already been permitted.

Premier Inn, owned by Whitbread Plc, is a national chain hotel company with over 600 hotels to its name in the UK.

It is hoped that the possibility of a new Premier Inn in Bude will increase job prospects and employment opportunities for young people through new jobs, apprenticeships and work placements, as well as Whitbread’s Shooting Stars scheme.

With the asset of heavy tourism in the town during the holiday periods, Bude will also benefit from the provision of enhanced visitor facilities, as well as branded hotel accommodation, something the town has little experience of.

Geoff Cook, senior project and programme manager, said: “We are pleased to submit plans for a 67-bedroom hotel in Bude. The updated plans allow us to provide an even more positive contribution to the local area and cater for more visitors in Bude.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a fabulous destination for tourists and business travelers. We look forward to Cornwall County Council’s decision.”

Bude-Stratton Town Council have no objections to the proposal, as well as other organisations such as Natural England, Ramblers Association and Highway Development Management — East.

The final decision is set to be made in September by Cornwall Council.