PREMIER Inn has said it ‘remains committed to investing’ in a site in Bude.

A planning application to build a new 62-bedroom hotel with bar and restaurant facilities at the current derelict Strand Hotel site was approved by Cornwall Council on November 23.

Originally Whitbread Plc proposed that it would convert the Strand Hotel into a 55-bedroom Premier Inn, but later decided that it would be more beneficial to demolish the existing building and build one from scratch.

Although councillors were pleased that a major company was showing intent to invest in the town, the original design raised some concerns among members of Bude-Stratton Town Council’s planning committee, who felt it was out of touch with surrounding buildings, particularly in terms of the roofline.

But when the new plans were shown to committee, they were very pleased that their suggestions regarding pitched roofs and dormer windows were taken on board.

Whitbread Plc hopes work will start this winter for a late 2016 completion.

A spokesperson said: “Premier Inn are committed to investing in Bude. Negotiations with key contractors are just being finalised and while we don’t have an exact timetable yet work is set to begin soon.”