A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major expansion of the Premier Inn beside it, under plans submitted to Somerset Council. The proposal would add 58 bedrooms, taking the hotel from 20 rooms to 78, as well as creating a new ground-floor restaurant.
The Airfield Tavern stands off Alvington Lane on the western outskirts of Yeovil, close to the Leonardo airfield. The former Table Table pub has been closed to the public for several years, although hotel guests can still access the building for dining and drinks.
What the Premier Inn plans would involve
Premier Inn Hotels Ltd wants to demolish the pub and build a two-storey extension to the adjacent hotel. The proposed new building would include guest accommodation above a restaurant on the ground floor.
The hotel reception would also be enlarged by converting an existing bedroom on the ground floor. The development would require a slight reduction in the size of the car park, but the plans would still provide 74 spaces for hotel staff and customers.
The application does not make clear whether the expansion would create additional full-time or part-time jobs.
“The proposed extension will provide the additional capacity required to allow this successful business to continue to thrive. The massing and materials of the extension are designed to match the existing hotel, reinforcing the established character and overall theme of the site. The extension will deliver additional guest rooms, helping to secure the long-term future of the business while enabling it to continue supporting the local economy and providing important services to its customers.”
The statement was made by a spokesperson for Axiom Architects, which is representing Premier Inn Hotels Ltd.
Phosphate measures and planning decision
The proposed development is within the River Yeo catchment area. Because of the potential impact of phosphates, the developer will need to ensure there is no net increase affecting the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The plans propose meeting that requirement by buying phosphate credits linked to agricultural land being taken out of production within the same catchment. The arrangement is expected to continue until Wessex Water completes an upgrade to Yeovil’s waste water treatment plant, which is expected by April 2030.
Somerset Council is expected to decide the planning application within six months. Because of the scale and importance of the proposal, the final decision is likely to be taken in public by Planning Committee South. The committee deals with major applications in the former South Somerset area, rather than the application being decided through delegated powers given to council officers.
If permission is granted, the proposal would substantially increase the capacity of the Yeovil Premier Inn while removing a former pub building that has not been open to the wider public for several years. The application remains subject to the council’s planning process.
