Plans have been approved for budget hotel chain Premier Inn to open in Douglas.

The planning application (17/00823/B) was submitted by Dandara Commercial Ltd for an 85-bedroom hotel with a restaurant and bar to be built on a temporary private car park behind Marks and Spencer, in Market Street.

The hotel chain, which has more than 750 hotels across the UK, is identified in drawings submitted with the application.

In the planning officer’s report it states that a transport statement concludes that the redeveloped site would generate the same level of traffic in the morning peak as the current temporary car park, and three traffic movements fewer in the evening peak.

A few objections had been raised to the lack of on-site parking provision included in the proposal.

But in the planning officer’s report, it says that the town centre location and public transport links makes the application acceptable.

The site, the former Bridson and Horrox print works, is allocated for predominately office use in the Douglas local plan.

Planners accepted that the site ’has a detrimental impact on the amenities of the area, appearing as a rundown site in need of developing’.

Drawings show the bedrooms would be spread over five floors. The ground floor would house the reception area, luggage room, vending machines, bar, restaurant, kitchen and staff areas.

The 3,175 sq/m building would be set back from Market Street to enable the road to be widened to make way for a drop-off and delivery zone. At the rear of the site, there would be a terrace on the first floor with gated access. It would have a cycle store.

Planning conditions include that the staff shower room and cycle store are installed before the hotel opens.

Details of the surface materials to be used for the pedestrian, drop off and road finish need to be approved by DEFA.