A BRADFORD hotel and wedding and events venue could cease to operate under the Holiday Inn banner after plans for a major extension were rejected by Bradford Council.

Holiday Inn had said it would pull the franchise from its hotel in Tong Lane, Tong, if the plans for two new extensions and a marquee were not approved.

Bradford Council rejected the application due to it involving building in the green belt, the detrimental effect it would have on neighbouring properties, and because the development would be a “significant intensification of use of the site”.

An extension to the reception area, an pavilion-style orangery extension, and a marquee to cater for up to 500 guests were all seen as crucial to a franchise-wide concept to upgrade all Holiday Inns.

The plan’s design and access statement said: “The objective of the extension is to upgrade the hotel reception facilities in line with the new Holiday Inn ‘Open Lobby’ concept.

“This is an essential requirement of Holiday Inn – all hotels must be upgraded to the new layouts before the end of 2019.

“Failure to do this will result in the withdrawal of the Holiday Inn brand.”

The hotel currently employs 30 people in a number of roles. Had the plans been approved, 40 more jobs were expected to have been created.

The plans stated the extensions would prove a “contemporary contrast” to the existing hotel building, and the outdoor marquee – which would have included toilets, a kitchen serving area, seating for up to 474 people and a stage and dancefloor – was described as a “unique and unusual destination” for events in Bradford, and a “critical aspect of the proposed hotel upgrade”.

The document stated the proposals would have improved the guest experience, increased employment and improved efficiency.

In refusing the plans, Bradford Council said: “The proposed development lies within an area defined as green belt, within which there is a strong presumption against inappropriate development.

“The proposed development would constitute such inappropriate development in the green belt and the council considers that there are no very special circumstances which would warrant the proposal being treated as an exception.

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“The marquee is considered to represent a threat to the amenities of nearby residential properties by reason of noise and disturbance, particularly from late-night events.”

The council added that not enough information had been provided about the effect the intensification of use of the site would have on nearby roads.

The makeover had been planned after millionaire hotel tycoon Anish Bir, who owns hotels in the Midlands and in India, bought the hotel.

IHG, parent company of Holiday Inn, was approached for comment on the hotel’s future following the application’s failure.