PLANS to build a 21-room three storey extension onto a hotel in Bishop Auckland have been submitted to Durham County Council.

The existing hotel is a 39-bedroom Premier Inn based at West Auckland Road, Tindale Crescent.

The application was submitted on March 30, by Walsingham Planning, on behalf of Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn.

The hotel currently has 96 car parking spaces and is also looking for permission to extend the car park to make room for up to 108 vehicles.

A statement submitted with the application reads: “Whitbread are confident that there will be no issued in terms of parking or road safety.

“A 21 bedroom hotel extension will provide much needed accommodation to the area, bringing with is additional visitor spending in the area and creation of jobs for local people.

“Our overall conclusion therefore is that this application should be treated favourably and planning permission should be granted without delay.”

A consultation is now taking place and members of the public have until Tuesday, April 28, to comment on the application.

It is expected that a decision will be made by Wednesday, July 1.

To view the application, visit publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications and search for reference DM/15/01002/FPA.