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Hotel plan next to Spread Eagle pub in Gailey

A new 38-bedroom hotel will be built next to a busy Staffordshire pub and restaurant, under new plans.

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Pub company Marston's has lodged an application with South Staffordshire Council that would see part of the site of the Spread Eagle on Watling Street, Gailey, become home to 'lodge-style' accommodation.

The hotel would be built just to the side of the Spread Eagle, which would still be in use and is also operated by Marston's.

The entrance would remain the same, but car parking spaces would be cut to 108 from 135.

The move has been welcomed by South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson and councillors, who say it would be a huge boost for the area.

Mr Williamson said that the development should be given the go-ahead by the planning committee, providing it would be of the 'highest quality'.

He said: "As long as any development is done in keeping with the character of the area it should be welcomed.

"I think any big investment designed to boost South Staffordshire should be looked at as a positive thing but it just needs to be made sure that work done at the site is of the highest quality."

South Staffordshire councillor John Raven raised concerns over the decrease in car parking spaces.

He said: "The site is very busy already and it was a slight concern to see that the number of parking spaces will decrease when there will be more people there.

However, a development like this is no doubt a good thing for the area and should be welcomed."

Developers have pointed to a potential tourism opportunity for South Staffordshire as one of the reasons why the council should consider granting the application.

The planning application states that the area receives 2.65 million day visits a year, resulting in a spend of £54 million, adding that the South Staffordshire Tourism Strategy 'actively encourages' developments of this nature in order to build on that market.

The application also states the site would create new jobs, in addition to the 62 already provided by the pub itself.

The planning application reads: "The nature of the proposal is such that it will operate in synergy with the existing public house, thus it will assist in safeguarding the existing roles that the business supports as well as, in all likelihood, acting as a catalyst for further employment opportunities."

Marston's spokeswoman Lauren Smith said: "The Spread Eagle is a hugely popular pub on a busy arterial road, the proposed lodge would satisfy a demand for more quality accommodation in the area."

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