CONCERNS have been raised over plans to build six holiday apartments in the car park of a hotel in Dursley.
An outline application was previously submitted to Stroud District Council to build six separate one bedroom flats on land behind the Ye Olde Dursley Hotel.
Floor plans show space for a kitchen living room area, one bedroom plus a bathroom with a shower.
The scheme would retain the existing pub garden and 15 car parking spaces for the hotel.
However, plans have been criticised by Dursley Town Council and Gloucestershire Highways as well as two neighbours.
The town council objected to the application saying the two storey design would result in an ‘unacceptable loss of privacy’ to neighbours.
A statement from Dursley Town Council reads: “The council objects to the application but would welcome a more suitable development on this parcel of land.
“While the council welcomes the attempt to develop additional holiday accommodation in the town, the proposed development is likely to cause adverse impact.
“A single storey design would help to avoid the issues raised relating to privacy and also loss of sunlight.”
Meanwhile, Gloucestershire Highways has expressed concern about the lack of visibility over the site access and has asked that the application be deferred.
A Gloucestershire Highways statement in the application reads: “The lack of visibility raises highway safety issues for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“Any increase in the use of the access by vehicles would exacerbate the existing safety issues.”
Meanwhile, an archaeological officer from Gloucestershire County Council urged that permission only be granted if archaeological work is carried out before any work commences.
They believe there could be medieval burgage plots at the site because it is located in a medieval settlement area.
In addition, two neighbours expressed concerns about increased noise in the area, the removal of trees along the site boundary, and a lack of privacy and sunlight.
A joint statement from the pair reads: “This would also lead to a loss in value to a property we have recently purchased.
“We would also highlight the restricted access into Long Street, with increased traffic from a blind junction, across a pavement and into an already busy road, noting that traffic accidents do already happen in this area.
Meanwhile, the application also states six car parking spaces would be earmarked for the new apartments with three new EV charging points.
In addition, proposed work includes building a two metre tall boundary fence and a communal garden.
The hotel, which is a 15th century former coaching inn, used to be known as The Old Bell Hotel.
You can view the application quoting S.23/1642/OUT or see here - tinyurl.com/tte2dhvn
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