PLANS for Ryedale’s first Premier Inn have been recommended for approval.

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 south of the A170 on the eastern outskirts of Pickering, next to the Thornton Road Industrial Estate. The site currently has a bungalow, which would be demolished. The application also includes the creation of a pond habitat area for great crested newts.

A report to Ryedale District Council’s planning committee tonight (Tuesday) says: “Ryedale has a limited national hotel chain presence and currently there are no ‘budget’ chain hotels operating in the district. The proposed hotel would address this and would contribute to improving the choice of visitor accommodation.

“On completion, the proposed development is estimated to have the potential to generate 25 jobs and £1.4 million annual contribution to economic productivity within the North Yorkshire economy of which £1m could be local to Ryedale.

“The scheme will generate up to 60,800 additional leisure and business visitors to North Yorkshire annually.”

The report said that there had been only one objection to the plans. However, Pickering Town Council has raised concerns over access to the site from the A170 and questioned whether the development fitted into the local setting of Pickering as a historic market town.

The report added that it is considered that a number of the impacts associated with the development can be satisfactorily mitigated.

It adds: “The positive economic benefits of the hotel development to Pickering and the district as a whole are significant and the additional business units will also contribute to meeting the needs of the local economy.”