AN OFFICE block in Cowley Road could be turned into a 66-bedroom hotel.

The ground floor of Tyndale House is currently occupied by a branch of Sainsbury’s and by Professional Music Technology, while the upper floors are currently offices which are in the process of being vacated.

Developer Wilton Place Properties wants to turn the building into a budget hotel and has submitted a planning application to Oxford City Council.

The plan has been welcomed by local traders.

Chris Waites, who runs the People’s Supermarket, in Cowley Road, said: “Personally I think Oxford is pretty short of budget hotel accommodation, so anything which could fix that is welcome.

“It could add to the vibrancy of Cowley Road.

“A few areas are starting to look a bit run down so any investment is welcome.”

Tyndale House was built in the 1960s and according to the planning application it has a “detrimental impact” on the character of the Cowley Road area while the interior is in need of “extensive modernisation”.

The application has been made speculatively, so no hotel operator is currently lined up to take on the building.

But the applicant has said there is “considerable demand” from hotel companies for this kind of venture in Oxford.

Nigel Wild, the president of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It doesn’t surprise me that there’s high demand in Oxford and I think more hotels are a good thing.

“One of the things we are talking about on the Local Enterprise Partnership is to try and get people to spend longer in Oxford and spend more money here, rather than just coming for the day.

“An affordable hotel would probably go down well.”

Colin Cook, the city council’s executive member for city development, said: “We have got some good hotels at the top and medium end but there is still demand for cheaper hotels and we would certainly welcome them in appropriate places, provided they comply with planning guidelines.”

Plans for an 83-bedroom Travelodge hotel in Abingdon Road were thrown out earlier this year because the proposed building would be an “over-dominant” feature close to the Oxford Green Belt.

Meanwhile, work on a £2m extension is under way at the Oxford Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford to cater for growing custom.