PLANS for a new hotel in Eastleigh have moved a step forward.

A planning application to create a 153-room hotel on land east of Bournemouth Road have been submitted to Eastleigh Borough Council.

According to the proposal, the new facility would also have a bar, a restaurant, conference rooms, a leisure club with a gym and a swimming pool and a business hub.

A new access is also set to be created off Bournemouth Road along with 241 parking spaces, 31 cycle spaces and landscaping including new tree planting.

The plans were put forward by Village Hotels, who say they will create 100 new jobs in the area.

John Bates, director of acquisitions at Village Hotels, said: “Village Hotels is excited about the opportunity of operating in Eastleigh, and we will continue to engage with all local stakeholders to make this possible. We pride ourselves on the highly popular leisure and lifestyle facilities the brand brings to all residents and businesses in the communities in which we operate, and the significant local employment and economic benefits they deliver.”

The new hotel would also have a Starbucks and a pub and grill.

The cost of the scheme has not been revealed yet but the company said the project represents the latest phase of the company’s investment in Hampshire and follows the opening of the Village Hotel Club Portsmouth.

Civic chiefs in Eastleigh are expected to make a decision on the application in early summer.

Borough councillor Steve Sollitt said: “It’s a positive development in that part of the borough and a good development in probably the right place. It will add something to the area and it will create new jobs which is a good thing.”