Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has lodged plans for a new hotel development in Dorchester, UK.

Following a public consultation last year, Whitbread submitted the planning application to Dorset Council, with the design receiving positive feedback from the community. 

The development has been proposed on the former Marks & Spencer retail store site on South Street, which would mark the second Premier Inn location in the town.

The current building on the proposed site is said to have deteriorated, prompting plans for demolition and the construction of a new hotel that aligns with Premier Inn's latest design and sustainability standards.

Whitbread property acquisitions manager Louise Woodruff said: “The application we have submitted will bring the former M&S site back into long-term use, delivering significant investment during the construction of the hotel and creating long-term opportunities when we open.

“We have benefited from the input of many stakeholders during the design and planning of the development, and I’m looking forward to seeing the application progress to the committee and hopefully a recommendation to proceed.”

Upon receiving approval, Whitbread plans to spend more than £10m ($12.71m) on the construction of the hotel. 

This is expected to contribute to the local economy, on and off-site, by creating over 50 jobs during the construction phase. 

This comes shortly after Torbay Council announced the opening of Premier Inn Torquay Harbour, a 120-room hotel in Torquay.