BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is planning to build a four-storey motel close to the Redbridge park and ride site in Oxford.

The chain has submitted a planning application to the city council to build the 83-bed hotel on three and four storeys on the former Motor World site, on the corner of Abingdon Road and Old Abingdon Road.

A plan to build a three-storey office block on the Jewson Holdings-owned site in 2001 was turned down by the city council and it is currently occupied by a UK Bathroom Warehouse showroom.

As part of the new plan, existing buildings next to the Redbridge park-and-ride site would be demolished to make way for the hotel, 45 parking spaces and bin and cycle storage.

The latest hotel scheme follows the announcement that a £350,000 10-bedroom boutique hotel in George Street, called The Bocardo, will open above Jamie’s Italian restaurant in April.

Oxford City Council’s executive member for city development Colin Cook said: “Oxford has a lot of high-cost hotel accommodation but we do need more in the medium to lower range and Travelodge would fit the bill.

“Not every family coming to visit a student wants to stay at the Randolph – some people are looking for something a bit more cheap and cheerful.

“A key consideration is parking because we would not want hotel guests to be using the neighbouring park-and-ride.”

Huw Mellor, of planning agents Kemp and Kemp, is handling the application for Travelodge Hotels and Anglo Holt Construction Ltd.

He said: “As far as we are aware, the site is still owned by Jewson Holdings and Travelodge is looking to provide budget hotel accommodation in South Oxford.

“It’s a full planning application and we expect it to be dealt with by the council’s west area planning committee in May.

“The current occupants of the site would have to leave to make room for the Travelodge.”

Steve Bower, a member of staff at UK Bathroom Warehouse in Abingdon Road, said: “We are not aware of this plan and will carry on trading.”

In December, the council approved plans by Sojourn Hotels to convert a row of properties in St Michael’s Street. And in Sandford, 38 new bedrooms will be created in two blocks at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, after South Oxfordshire District Council granted planning permission.

Premier Inn is also planning to increase the number of bedrooms at its hotel at the Milton Interchange off the A34 near Didcot.

Travelodge also has hotels at Oxford’s Peartree roundabout, at Bicester Cherwell Valley close to junction 10 of the M40, in Burford, and in Thame.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk