Travel lodge bid for prime site (From Western Telegraph)

Travel lodge bid for prime site

A Pembrokeshire developer is hoping to succeed where food giant McDonalds failed.

Hallmark Homes wants to build a travel lodge and restaurant on a former soccer clubhouse site at Pembroke Dock.

Earlier this year, McDonalds lost its bid for planning permission to develop a drive-through restaurant at the site.

It hadnt bargained on the opposition of nearby residents and its application was refused by Pembrokeshire County Council.

It settled for a site on the other side of the road and last month opened a restaurant adjacent to the Tesco supermarket.

The Hallmark Homes plan has also prompted opposition, notably from Pembroke Dock Town Council which fears it would over-develop the site. It is also concerned that it could encroach on the adjoining playing field, a view shared by three other objectors.

But the countys director of planning, Roger Barrett-Evans, recommends approval of the development, insisting it is significantly different from the McDonalds application.

He says it would not encroach on to the football pitch because the site is smaller. He suggests it would not impact on residents because the access point would be further south.

It would also generate less traffic than McDonalds because the restaurant would be for sole use by the hotel guests.

The travel lodge would be almost opposite the existing Bierspool Lodge and Diner in London Road, a popular facility with Irish Ferries passengers.

Pembrokeshire County Councils planning committee will be asked to approve the application at its meeting next Tuesday.