A 60-BED Premier Inn will be built on Portal Road, Monmouth.

The plans for the hotel were approved yesterday (2nd June) by Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) planning committee.

The hotel will be located on a currently overgrown scrubland in between the A40 and B4233 Portal Road. A petrol station and industrial units are situated to the north and houses situated to the west.

The building will have three different sections that vary in height. The central section of the building is to measure approximately 15.3m to the ridge, with the northern section measuring 14.1m and the southern section measuring 13.3m.

62 car parking spaces will be designated on the site to accommodate visitors and employees. The hotel will also house a restaurant/ cafe on the ground floor which will be open to the public.

Monmouth Town Council recommended approval of the Premier Inn, as did the Welsh Government which said the hotel would not impact the existing junctions with the A40 trunk road.

The new hotel is said to bring in 19 full time jobs to Monmouth.

Residents have given mixed opinions with equal letters submitted both for and against the development.

Supporters said the new hotel would bring more visitors to the town citing that Monmouth doesn't offer good value, dependable accommodation.

Objectors said the demand for hotel accommodation during off-peak times of the year is low and the new hotel could dissuade visitors from using B&Bs in the town.

David Cummings, chairman of Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It is indeed fantastic news for the town that after nine long years of lobbying by the chamber, a new 60 bedroom hotel will now be built.

"On MCC's own figures this will create £1,347,527 per annum for the local economy, as well as new jobs.

"Proximity to town is also the key to providing the maximum benefit for the local economy as residents of the hotel can easily walk from Portal Road into Monnow Street to shop or to have a meal, if the hotel cafe does not offer enough choice.

"It is important to recognise the increase in revenue that will be created from the hotel for county council owned buildings that cater for weddings, such as Bridges and the Shire Hall.

"Currently we are losing wedding bookings to the likes of Usk because we do not have sufficient accommodation in town to accommodate all the guests, from even a modest wedding.

"All in all this could be the best news for the economy of the town in the last two decades."

Cllr Maureen Powell said: "More people will now be able to enjoy the beauty of Monmouth. I think it's excellent."