Hotel extension 'akin to a prison block' approved

NEW FARNHAM 'ANNEXE' WILL BE TALLER THAN HOST SITE

- By EMILY DALTON Local democracy reporter

A “MONOLITHIC” four-storey “block akin to a prison block at Broadmoor” will tower over the gateway to Farnham, a councillor said, after plans for a hotel on the former Beefeater restaurant site were approved.

In its place will stand a new 74-bedroom Premier Inn hotel that will form part of a larger complex.

The application was approved by Waverley Borough Council's April planning committee by seven votes to four. The addition will be about 3.8 metres taller than the existing Premier Inn and 4.23 metres higher than the Beefeater.

The proposed building would consist of two wings in an L-shaped plan, partially on the Beefeater site - with supporters saying a new hotel shows confidence in the town.