Councillors are to refuse planning permission for a new hotel in the centre of Newmarket due to a lack of parking, H&H can exclusively reveal.
Forest Heath District Council has indicated that Reef Estates will be denied the go-ahead to build a 75-bed Premier Inn hotel, with no parking facilities, on an island close to a town centre roundabout at a planning committee meeting tonight.
Speaking to H&H, Sally Rodé, communications advisor at the council, said: “Councillors were minded to refuse it on the grounds of lack of parking. It will come before them tonight for a final decision.”
The proposed site is an important crossing point for racehorses accessing the Heath, and the plan had met with opposition from The Save Historic Newmarket Action Group, National Trainers Federation, Newmarket Trainers Federation and Jockey Club Estates.
Chris Wall, president of the National Trainers Federation, said: “Our main concern is the impact the congestion will have on horse welfare and human health and safety. Added congestion will further delay vets moving around the town attending to equine emergencies.”
Emma Berry, from Newmarket’s Beverley House Stables, said: “If it is the case that they will turn it down then we will be absolutely thrilled.”
The development, which also met with opposition from many of the town’s residents, was discussed at an extraordinary general meeting of Newmarket Town Council on 29 January.
A large turnout is expected at tonight’s meeting during which local racehorse trainer John Gosden will speak on behalf of the concerned parties.
