Brandon hotel accommodation pod bid approved by West Suffolk Council but dubbed 'monster' by local councillor

A bid for a new accommodation pod at a town's hotel has been approved despite being described as a 'monster' by a local councillor.

West Suffolk's development control committee members discussed plans for a new four-guest unit with covered decking at the Bridge Hotel, in High Street, Brandon, yesterday morning.

The bid included a new footpath and landscaping as well as a retrospective single storey rear extension to the hotel.

It ended up on councillors' tables, however, after receiving an objection from Cllr Jools Savage, the ward member, alongside 36 letters from neighbours, some of whom submitted multiple.

Some of the concerns included the potential loss of residential amenity, parking and overdevelopment.

The biggest issue, however, was raised during the meeting by Cllr Savage, the local ward member, who said the site had been subject to 'intentional unauthorised development' for over two years and accused the developer of using an 'underhand tactic to force through development'.

The planning officer said although the council's enforcement team was aware of concerns over unauthorised development, this did not impact on the application.

Defending the plans, Matt Arnold, the owner, said the hotel benefited the town's economy hugely.

He explained the hotel's turnover had increased from £80,000 when it opened to close to £500,000, with the plans allowing further business expansion.

Some members were sceptical.

Cllr Phil Wittam, of Brandon, said: “It’s going to be stuck out like a carbuncle — it’s a monster, it’s going to be seen from every angle and it will see everybody on the other side of the river.”

Cllr Andrew Neil added: “From an economic point of view, I don’t see it will transform Brandon in any way, shape or form.”

Others believed the officer's conclusion that the economic and social benefits outweighed a low-level harm to the area was correct.

Cllr Don Waldron said: “I was on the site visit and the piece of land they’re proposing to put this on is semi-derelict so it can only be an improvement with planting and so on.

“With the correct conditions, which I feel have been put forward, I don’t see a problem with it.”

Councillors voted to allow the application with 12 votes in favour, two against and one abstention.