Plans for huge Kettering hotel approved

The Planning Inspectorate has overturned Kettering Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the development next to the conference centre in Thurston Drive.

Those living nearby raised concerns about the building’s dominant nature, lack of parking and the impact it would have on residents.

Once built it will be Kettering’s biggest hotel and will create 35 full-time jobs.

But Cllr Ian Jelley (Con, St Peter’s) said the economy boost would not negate the impact it will have on residents.

He said: “I’m very disappointed by the decision.

“It’s going to have a huge impact on the residents nearby.

“We are always looking to boost the economy but that cannot be at the expense of the quality of local residents’ lives.”

Applicants Phoenix Leisure Management said the plan was for operators to target conferences and the leisure, corporate and wedding markets.

Cllr Jelley said the car park wasn’t big enough when large events are held at the conference centre as it is.

He said the volume of traffic could create problems for the emergency services and that the views from some houses would be ruined forever.

He said: “There will be some people in Thurston Drive who are going to look out of their window and all they are going to see for the rest of their lives is a great four-storey building.”

The nearest house to the hotel, described as having an ‘uninspired design’, will be just 33.3m away.

A report by planning inspector Stephen Normington said the development would not have a significant detrimental effect on those living nearby.

He added that the hotel would not have that big an impact on the amount of people parking on local roads.

He said: “I consider that the proposed development would make adequate provision to accommodate car parking demand without adding undue pressure for on-street parking on neighbouring roads.”