Agreement for lease signed for regeneration of site in Staines

Subject to planning permission, the plans are for a 4-star hotel development and regeneration of the site currently occupied by Bridge Street car park and Hanover House. In the meantime, it will continue to be used by the Council as a public car park.

The Arora Group has indicated their commitment to fully engage with a pre-application public consultation and ensure the design of the new development fits well with its surroundings and the conservation area. The terms of the agreement for lease specify that the new building cannot exceed 25m in height.

Chair of Spelthorne's Corporate Resources and Policy Committee, Cllr Joanne Sexton, said: "The development of a quality hotel will provide an economic boost for our main town and strengthen the link between the town centre and riverfront. It's a strong signal that businesses like the Arora Group are keen to invest in Spelthorne and can see the potential in our Borough.  It's a very exciting project which will transform the area, attract new visitors and provide new career opportunities for local residents."

Surinder Arora, Chairman of the Arora Group, said: "We are incredibly proud to have been awarded this development opportunity and look forward to working with Spelthorne Council and local community groups to kick start the regeneration of the town centre. We genuinely believe that the area needs the introduction of a new 4-star hotel development not only to service existing business and leisure customers but also to attract new opportunities to the area. The hotel will create over 160 new jobs, and we anticipate that many of these will be taken by the local community. The Arora Group operates several hotels in the nearby areas of Heathrow and Englefield Green and this local operating expertise will benefit the proposed development in Staines."

The Arora Group is expected to submit a planning application within the next 12 months.