HAVING been granted planning permission just two weeks ago, developers are confident North Petherton's new 100-bedroom Premier Inn will be ready to open in Summer 2019.

The new hotel, which will be constructed at the Compass House site on the £150m business park.

Phil Wade, development manager for Bridgwater Gateway, said: “A new Premier Inn hotel will soon be rising from the ground at Bridgwater Gateway following the unanimous decision by councillors to grant planning permission."

“Extensive infrastructure work is now in place, and we are looking forward to delivering the Premier Inn hotel later this year, together with high-specification office and industrial buildings.”

Mr Wade said construction would take approximately 11 months and believed the hotel would be up and running in Summer next year.

Premier Inn, part of the Whitbread chain, is the UK’s biggest hotel brand and the new hotel will create 32 new jobs and an estimated £8.6m of investment.

Tim Davies, head of the South West and Wales for Colliers International, which is commercial property agent for the scheme, said:

“The Bridgwater Gateway business park offers an outstanding location off J24 of the M5.

“This will be further enhanced by the presence of a Premier Inn which will appeal to a wide range of occupants seeking the benefits of a major hotel brand in a strategic location.”

The hotel at Bridgwater Gateway will be in addition to a new 150 bed 4* hotel with conference facilities on the 100-acre site, the first phase of which will feature a range of new office and commercial buildings.