CONTROVERSIAL plans for a Lancaster city centre hotel to be demolished and replaced with a larger model could get the go-ahead on Monday.
The city council planning committee, who refused permission for a new development at the Railton Hotel in Station Road when they met in October, are now being recommended to approve the new application.
Initially, the owners wanted to knock down t
he current 15 bedroom building and replace it with a 39 bedroom hotel.
Spaces
The three and four storey development would also have included accommodation for the owner in a roof level penthouse and 11 parking spaces.
Planning officers received 17 letters objecting to the application from nearby residents.
And councillors agreed that the plans were unsuitable.
Since October a further 19 letters of objection have been sent to the council, mostly concerning the over-intensive development of the site, the design of the building and inadequate parking space.
But planning officers have recommended the new plans – for a 38 bedroom hotel with eight parking spaces – go ahead.
Officers say the revised proposal represents a "well thought out landmark scheme, which would maximise the development potential of the site and provide much needed modern tourist accommodation close to the railway station without detracting unduly from neighbouring amenities or the existing character and appearance of the area."
Necessary road improvements could also be made at the junction of Station Road and Westbourne Road.
