UP TO 90 jobs could come to Swindon after a new hotel is built, construction bosses said.

Planning approval is being sought for the 112-bedroom hotel in the former Paragon Laundry site on Aylesbury Street in the town centre, close to the railway station.

If approved, it is hoped that the new Hampton by Hilton hotel will be opened by September 2019.

Hotel chiefs expect it to provide up to 90 jobs, although some roles – such as washing of linen – would be outsourced.

Peter Lawson, a director at land agent Turley, presented plans for the proposed hotel to the South Swindon Parish Council.

He argued that lessons had been learned from previous hotel bids on the Grade II listed site. These included a successful application from 2009 for a 118-bedroom hotel that fell foul of the recession.

It included a reduction in the overall size of the hotel from that previously planned. Architects have ditched one side the earlier L-shaped hotel, building the new hotel to a rectangular plan.

Mr Lawson said: “It’s far more efficient and the impact on Haydon Street is far reduced. You haven’t got one mass. 

“It’s a stepped design, designed to reduce the impact on Haydon Street properties.

“The overall bulk and scale of the building is quite substantially reduced.”

The historic building frontage would be retained, he said. 

Hotel bosses are expected to develop interpretation boards to explain the history of the building, which was originally built in 1876 as a dairy and cheese factory.

Once built, the hotel could employ between 80 and 90 people. But, Mr Lawson, explained: “Not all 80 or 90 will be on site at one time.”

The hotel would provide parking for up to 23 cars, including two accessible bays. 

A coach stop to the front of the hotel would be improved as part of the works.

However, some were unhappy with the modern-looking designs. 

Coun Neil Hopkins told developers: “I’m interested that you say you tried to match the aesthetics of the period with the design. I’m sorry, but it’s lost on me.

“It’s a new building tagged onto a Grade II listed gem.”

Mr Lawson said: “You can try and replicate something, but the sheer scale of this [hotel] does not lend itself to that. You can see the old and you can see the new.”

Coun Steve Allsopp said: “It’s a considerable improvement on what’s gone before.”

Other concerns raised by members of the public included traffic impact and the effect on the town’s water system of the new hotel.

To comment on the application, visit: www.swindon.gov.uk. The reference for the application is S/LBC/18/0075.