RYEDALE could be set for its first Premier Inn under major new plans submitted to the council.

The planning application for an 84-bedroom hotel with a restaurant and bar, as well as three light

industrial units, has been made for a 1.59 hectare site just south of the A170 on the eastern outskirts of Pickering, adjacent to the Thornton Road Industrial Estate.

Currently the site of a “dilapidated” bungalow, which would be demolished, the planning application also includes the creation of a pond habitat area for great crested newts, a protected species.

Nicholas Johnston, regional acquisition manager for Whitbread, owner of the Premier Inn brand, said: “A new Premier Inn hotel in Pickering will bring a different style of accommodation to the market town.

“Premier Inn customers choose to stay with us for the consistency that we offer and the ease of booking with us, with 97 per cent of bookings made directly on our website and via the Premier Inn app.

“Our style of accommodation will therefore complement and diversify what is currently available in Pickering and will help to attract additional visitors to stay in the town throughout the year. These additional visitors, and the 25 new permanent roles that the hotel will create on opening, will strengthen the local economy and help to support established restaurants, cafes and pubs as our guests go out to eat and drink in the evening.

“We’re delighted to have secured an opportunity to invest in the town and we’re looking forward to the planning application advancing to the next stage.”

The application includes proposals for three light industrial units towards to south of the site with a separate car parking space.

Adam Hearld, development director of the applicants Jomast Developments, which is working in association with CFK Developments, said: “Having recently completed developments for Premier Inn in Middlesbrough and Chesterfield, we are delighted to be working with the hotel operator again to deliver another significant scheme which will create much-needed tourist and business accommodation in Pickering, together with three industrial units.

“The location is highly sustainable and suitable for development on the edge of the town centre and directly accessible from the A170 Thornton Road.

“Should the planning approval be forthcoming we envisage commencing the development later this year.”

Ryedale District Council is currently consulting on the application which has a determination deadline of July 2.