CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new budget hotel in Hampshire have been given the green light.

The plan will see a new 54 bedroom hotel at the Solent Hotel & Spa site in Whiteley which will be built as an extension to the existing building.

The £5 million project will create nearly 50 jobs, which include 30 in construction and 19 staff roles.

Shire Hotels Ltd, who own Solent Hotel & Spa, say the proposed two storey building which will adjoin the Parsons Collar public house via a walkway is a "complementary" addition to the hotel and will offer “lower rated accommodation”.

The building will include a separate reception, dining area, restaurant and double rooms, and the car parking area at the site will have to be redesigned.

The plan was met with fierce opposition from residents and Whiteley Town Council who say they were “disgusted” with the lack of communication by the developer.

Nearly 50 residents also objected, they said it is overbearing and will lead to a loss of privacy to residents.

Other concerns included a failure to protect green assets like the mature tree belt on the boundary and Whiteley stream.

They also expressed fears over the level of noise made by guests and said the plan will put a strain on roads.

Councillors voted in the favour of the scheme by five votes to three.

Speaking against the plan at the Winchester City Council planning committee, Whiteley Town Council chairman Mike Evans said the hotel held no consultation events with the local community, other than inviting him to a private meeting.

He said: “Despite our best efforts there has been no engagement whatever with Whiteley Town Council or the local community by the developer in the pre-application process.

“More significant planning proposals such as a 54-bed budget hotel are likely to give rise to degrees of controversy and therefore require consultation and community involvement throughout the duration of the project.”

The lack of communication was criticised by councillors supporting and opposing the plan.

Winchester City Councillor, David McLean, he said: “I find the consultation process almost insulting but I have to put that aside because we have to look at the application put before us. There is going to be a need for it and there is going to be an awful lot of building in that area.”

Also supporting the plan was Cllr Robert Johnston, who said: “I am going to support the application. The design reflects will on adjacent properties and 3,500 new houses and increased population will create a demand for this. 

"In addition it supports the local economy in employment.”

Planning agent for Shire Hotels Ltd, Neil Goldsmith argued that there was no need for a consultation event as they said council officers told them it was an “acceptable” hotel scheme.

Speaking after the meeting furious residents living close to the hotel who say they are blighted by noise pollution criticised the decision.

Peter Smith, 60, from Sole Drive said: “We phone the hotel at two or three in the morning and they do not take any notice - they do not listen to us when there’s noise.

"I think the new hotel will create more noise especially during the summer with the windows open.”