Premier Inn gets the green light for Bakewell hotel

Premier Inn has been given the go-ahead to build a 72-bed hotel on the historic Riverside Business Park in Bakewell after winning a planning appeal.

This announcement follows the decision of a government planning inspector after a one-day appeal hearing in October.

The Inspector ruled that the appeal was allowed and planning permission granted.

Nick Johnston, acquisitions manager at Premier Inn, said: “This decision is exciting news for Premier Inn in the Peak District, and we’re pleased to have been granted planning permission for a new hotel in Bakewell to complement our recent openings in Matlock and Buxton.

“Riverside Business Park is a fantastic location of historic significance and within walking distance of Bakewell town centre, and in addition to attracting more visitors and bringing greater customer choice, the hotel will deliver new jobs and fresh investment into the area.”

Litton Property Group owns the business park. Managing Director, Mark Twelves, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the hearing. The decision of the planning inspector validates our view that the Riverside Business Park remains a huge asset not just to Bakewell, but to the whole of the Peak District.

“Having a Premier Inn on the business park will kick start further development of the historic site.”

The new hotel will create 30 year-round jobs for the local area when it opens in 2018.

Work on the hotel, associated car parking and landscaping on the site of Richard Arkwright’s former 18th century cotton mill is expected to start in 2017, taking almost a year to complete.

The mill, harnessing river water power, led to the prosperity and expansion of Bakewell. It was lost to a fire in the 1850s although many important historic features remain.