PLANS to build a new 90-bed hotel in Bulford – complete with a conference space, a restaurant and a rooftop bar – have been praised by some in the community.
The plans detail the demolition of the van sales dealer M A Vans Ltd and the Bulford Camp Hand Car Wash at Amesbury Road in Bulford, with these to be replaced with a four-storey L-shaped hotel building – to be called The Stonehenge Hotel.
The proposed hotel would be used to primarily house those visiting friends and family living at the nearby Bulford Military Base, which has expanded considerably over the years.
According to the plans, a third of the British Army are now based in and around Bulford.
A conference space for 200 people has also been planned for businesses connected with the local science park as well as a restaurant, entertainment facilities and a ‘one-stop shop’.
An underground parking space for 90 vehicles would also be provided.
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Although the plans were initially put together in 2020, they have only been validated by Wiltshire Council earlier this month.
Applicant Duckquiff Ltd say the new hotel would help to both attract new inward investment and provide new jobs.
The ground floor would include a foyer with 72 place settings for light bar-type food, and the fourth floor would have a restaurant with 144 spaces as well as a restaurant terrace with 44 spaces and a lounge terrace with 36 place settings.
The applicant said there is a shortfall in hotel accommodation in the area and that the plans have received support from nearby businesses.
The plans feature a terrace bar Picture: Cutler Architects
They said: “We have demonstrated that there will be considerable economic benefits of the proposal, with a large increase in employment and resultant broader economic benefits.
“The hotel is proposed to serve the existing barracks as well as local businesses and the tourist industry.
“The addition of a bar and restaurant, open to the public, will add an additional social function for the surrounding area.”
One resident, Chloe Howard, described the plans as a “brilliant plan for the future of Bulford”.
She said: “A project such as this will only have a positive effect within the area itself, providing jobs to the local community.
“Also, looking at the plans, the building itself looks amazing, and with its amenities, such as a bar, would provide a great area in which people can meet and interact with each other over a drink or coffee.”
However, not everyone is on board with the plans.
Another Bulford resident, Dan Hunt, raised concerns that the new hotel could exacerbate traffic problems in the area.
He said: “The site location is wholly unsuitable for a hotel.”
He added: “The local roads are not designed to take the extra volumes of tourist traffic, putting our children at higher risk of being involved in some sort of vehicle-based accident.”
To view and comment on the plans, visit the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website and search reference 20/03485/FUL.
Click here to stay updated with the latest plans submitted across the Salisbury area.
A conference space of 200 and a 90-bed hotel + restaurant but only allowing for a capacity of 44 cars…I wasn’t aware of the marvellous local bus service.
Yep, the numbers dont stack up at all.
So where are all the cars going to be parked
Our roads in Bulford are already gridlocked often. To bring more traffic to a small village would be a disaster!
Doesn’t sound like a conventional hotel that will be open to the general public and that could be worrying
Ans where are they all going to park, there is no train station, very little bus routes….?
Seems bit pointless adding a hotel in the area when there is 2 close by just off the A303 in Amesbury that dont fill up. They aim it at military, but families have always had access to housing for visits ect. Also adding more traffic to already a busy school and bus route would not be for the better.