THE notorious Travelodge at Fountains roundabout in Chester looks set to be transformed into student accommodation after planning consent was granted.
The 160-bed hotel was dubbed an ‘eyesore’ when it opened on a major gateway into the city three years ago.
Now it will be given a new lease of life after planning consent was approved to allow the University of Chester and La Salle Investment Management to convert the Travelodge into a student hall of residence, ready for occupation this September.
However, no physical changes are proposed to the exterior of the building and the en suite bedrooms will be utilised as they presently exist.
University vice-chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler said: “Being equidistant between the university’s main campus and the city centre, the Travelodge occupies an ideal location.”
A Friends of North Chester Greenbelt spokesman welcomed permission being granted.
He said: “The student accommodation debate in the city is quite an emotive one with supporters of the speculative 2,300 place student village proposal on greenbelt saying this is the way forward.
“Increasingly though, the evidence is there that a city centre based approach based upon 'need' is the right answer. The council’s own report on student accommodation recommended this approach using a partnership between themselves and the university – the Travelodge fits into this model of thinking very well. The One City Plan also advocates integrating student accommodation into the life of the city, again the Travelodge exemplifies this – as will the George Street Project which is now up and running again.”
