Early plans to build modern hotel next to Northampton Victorian landmark greenlit after 10 years

A plan to build a modern block of serviced apartments next to a Northampton Victorian landmark has been granted 'pre-approval' after nearly 10 years on the drawing board.

Chiswick-based developers Newlife Hotels Ltd have applied three times since 2011 to build a set of modern premises next to the Plough Hotel in Bridge Street.

But they have been repeatedly turned down. A 2011 plan to build a 117-bed hotel was rejected for being too much of a "pastiche" compared to its Victorian-era neighbours. A 2016 plan for 56-beds was also thrown out.

Now, after nearly 10 years of negotiations, Newlife have been granted 'outline planning permission' to instead build a block of 35 serviced apartments to the rear of the Plough Hotel.

The plan involves demolishing a set of Victorian outbuildings at the rear of the Plough and building the three-storey block in its place.

The ruling does not mean work has been given the go-ahead, but rather that the council would find the development acceptable.

However, the grounds reportedly also include the remnants of Northampton's historical Medieval town wall.

Additionally, a senior engineer for Northamptonshire County Council's Highways department - Jason Conway - has written to object to this newest plan as it "has yet again made no attempt to resolve" the potential impact of road safety or traffic around the hotel, which is ringed by a busy one-way route.

Newlife will need to formally apply to the council once more to begin the development.

The landmark Plough Hotel in Bridge Street was built in 1879.

During World War Two, it was used by the American Red Cross Society as a leave centre for American troops.

Over three years, a total of 174,000 servicemen stayed at the hotel and the American flag was raised above the building every day.