Go-ahead for Friarsgate's next phase

A hotel and restaurant at the heart of a £14million plan to revamp part of Lichfield city centre have been given the go-ahead.

The scheme has been hailed as the final piece of the planning jigsaw in the £100m Friarsgate project to develop the Birmingham Road side of the city.

The hotel plan is due to create around 100 new jobs.

S Harrison Developments Ltd which is behind the Friarsgate scheme - which was due to start in 2008 - is thought to be on the brink of signing a contract with a major national hotel chain.

The wider scheme will also create a new car park and housing at Friary Outer.

Councillors at last night's meeting of Lichfield District Council's planning committee opted to support the hotel - despite some misgivings about the design.

Councillor Alan White said: "This building doesn't suit the context of its surroundings in my view. The demands of the end user are driving the developer and architect.

"It's the people of Lichfield city that are in the back of my mind when considering this application."

But Councillor David Smedley believes the economic argument for the hotel outweighs any concerns about its appearance.

He said: "There's an economic case here because it does help bring prosperity to Lichfield.

"Obviously the needs of the end user or the hotelier have to be taken into account as the thing has got to be viable."

Permission was also given to extend the time limit for the whole Friarsgate scheme for a further five years. The main plans were given final backing last month.

Under them, the site which spans less than two acres will feature a new car park, increasing parking from around 230 to 400 spaces.