Plans to extend a County Durham hotel have been approved by Durham County Council.

The Premier Inn on West Auckland Road, Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland, is set to expand, adding 18 more bedrooms.

The expansion will also involve changes to the car park, reducing the number of spaces from 106 to 92.

However, the reduction has been justified based on studies indicating sufficient availability even after the changes.

The application for the extension was submitted by Jonathan Vose from Premier Inn Hotels Limited, with Walsingham Planning Limited acting as the agent.

The site, which is 0.73 hectares, will continue to be used as a hotel.

The external materials and finishes for the extension will match the existing structure.

The extension will not significantly impact protected species or flood risks, and the biodiversity net gain requirement does not apply as the development affects less than 25 square metres of habitat.

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The proposal includes sustainable drainage systems, and waste collection and recycling will be managed appropriately.

Durham County Council granted planning permission for the extension on September 18, 2024, with some conditions to be met before construction can begin.

These include starting the development within three years of approval, adhering strictly to the submitted plans, and installing bat and bird boxes before the extension is used.

The development must also comply with the submitted ecological appraisal to protect species like bats and nesting birds.

External building materials must match the existing hotel, and landscaping plans must be followed.

Construction must follow specific working hours to minimise disruption, with no external work allowed on Sundays or public holidays.

The proposal aligns with national goals for sustainable development, economic growth, and environmental protection.

No objections were raised regarding traffic or parking, and no contamination concerns were noted.

There were no objections or comments from the public following the notification and site notices.