Much delayed work on Royston’s Banyers Hotel can finally go ahead

The mayor of Royston said he is ‘absolutely delighted’ that an application that was holding back major work at a landmark hotel has been given the go ahead.

The application for panelled doors to be introduced between the orangery and function room of The Banyers Hotel was given the green light by North Herts District Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

Royston town mayor Ben Lewis welcomed the news about the much anticipated Melbourn Street hotel.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s fantastic.

“The proposal they put in was completely reasonable. The managing director Martin Jackson want to do it properly, and isn’t out to make a quick buck.

“He really wants to get something good.

“It’s going to be quite a smart place. The town is desperate for something like this. It’s part of the development that the town really deserves. We have to look forwards rather than backwards.”

Councillor Alan Millard, who is on the planning committee at NHDC, said: “The hotel needs to be brought up to modern standards. Because the development is internal, it won’t interfere with the building. It brings the hotel back into the 21st century.

“I couldn’t see any reason for not passing it. The panelled doors won’t be seen from outside the building.”