A £10 million plan to create a new hotel in York as part of a scheme to regenerate the Toft Green area will be put forward in the Spring.

York Investors LLP, whose team include property companies Buccleuch and York-based S Harrison Developments Ltd, is seeking permission to build a 120 room hotel adjacent to Hudson House.

If it wins council backing the scheme could create 100 construction jobs and 50 permanent full- and part-time jobs for the city.

With York hotel occupancy rates ranking the highest outside London, the proposal has already attracted interest from a number of national and international hotel operators keen to be a part of the city’s tourism success.

Says York Investors’ Sandy Smith: “A good quality hotel within the city walls will help boost the city’s economy and add to the attraction of York as a tourist destination as well as a place to do business. We have designed a hotel which will sit attractively in the location and offer business and conferencing visitors as well as leisure tourists a convenient base from which to connect with York’s excellent facilities.

“Being so close to the city centre, and to the rail network, it fits with the city’s sustainable transport ambitions. At the same time, it is close to what is currently an underutilised public parking provision so visitors by car will be able to park up for their stay, and walk the city.”

Architects for the scheme, York-based Crease Strickland Parkins, have worked closely with the city’s planning team to create a six storey contemporary design. The new hotel is likely to offer restaurant and meeting facilities, a work-out room and around 120 en-suite guest rooms.

According to Christie + Co’s Director and Head of Leisure & Development, Jon Patrick who is marketing the site for York Investors, the location and the style of the hotel position it perfectly to enhance York’s tourism offer:

“York is an all-year-round destination for UK and overseas visitors and the exchange rates have seen a significant increase in tourists from the Eurozone giving the city’s economy a major boost. Complementing the soon-to-be opened Five Star hotel on Station Rise, this new hotel will increase choice for York visitors.”

York Investors LLP will be contacting neighbours in the Micklegate Ward to outline their plans in more detail and will be staging a public consultation before submitting their final plans to the Council for approval in the Spring. If approved, the hotel could be in operation by 2012.

York Investors LLP is the preferred developer to deliver the new council headquarters and customer centre at West Offices, work that is scheduled for completion in 2012.