WORK is set to begin on a 79-bedroom hotel in a South Lakeland town. 

READ MORE:  Residents react to planned Ulverston hotel

READ MORE:  £5m Ulverston Premier Inn plan

Plans for the Premier Inn development in Ulverston, which will also include an in-house restaurant and a parking for 76 cars, were approved yesterday.

South Lakeland district councillors gave the application from Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, Premier Inn's parent company, the green light after it was recommended for approval by Debbie Storr, the council's director of policy and resources at SLDC

She said in her report which went before the committee in Kendal: "The proposed redevelopment of this derelict brown field site for a hotel use will result in a number of economic and environmental benefits and could act as a catalyst for further regeneration projects in the canal head area."

The new development will be built in North Lonsdale Terrace, on the former abattoir site adjacent to Ulverston Canal. 

SLDC councilor Helen Irving, who also sits on Ulverston Town Council, said after the meeting: "I think it'll be great for the town and it's going to tidy up a derelict bit of land. 

"As well as bringing visitors to the area it will also create jobs." 

A public consultation about the plans was held on Thursday December 3 at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston and letters were sent out to local residents, community groups and the town council. 

The response to the public consultation was positive, with 84 per cent of feedback supporting the scheme.

Nick Johnston, acquisition manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, who is leading the development, said: "We are delighted with the approval of our 79-bedroom North Lonsdale Terrace Premier Inn. Now we have the green light we will be investing approximately £5 million in the new hotel and creating 30 new year-round jobs for the local area. 

"We are aiming to start work on site later this year and look forward to opening our doors to customers in the second half of 2017."