THE Mercure Hotel on Eastover in Bridgwater could be set to receive a substantial expansion.

Plans submitted today by Mercure to Somerset Council hope to gain permission to build a five-storey extension containing 15 new short stay accommodation units.

More specifically, the recently submitted application seeks the council's approval to amend a plan submitted in 2023 (08/23/00169) after plans were approved to replace the former Aldi superstore with an events and conference centre.

The proposed five-storey expansion of the Mercure Hotel would be built to the west elevation of the building should plans be approved, situated in the space in which shoppers used to access the former Aldi store.

However, the applicant wrote in the planning application: "The existing vehicular undercroft access from Eastover is proposed to be retained along with the access from Broadway."

"It is proposed that the vehicular undercroft access together with the access from Broadway will be retained whilst the access to the former retail car park will be stopped up and its use discontinued."

Read more: Permission granted for conversion of former Aldi supermarket into events centre

The initial application submitted on June 6, 2023, asked permission for the introduction of 14 guest apartments, one more standard room and commercial space on the ground floor in the proposed extension.

The application stated: “The proposed extension to the existing Mercure Hotel will diversify the type of accommodation on offer, providing long-stay aparthotel accommodation and an additional standard guest room.

“The economic impact of the introduction of these proposals would be a positive one, as hotel apartments and the events centre would introduce new customer groups into Bridgwater to support and utilise local amenities and commercial facilities.

“In terms of its features, the proposed hotel extension forms a continuation of the principal hotel elevation along Eastover, therefore creating a strong building frontage.

“The increase will address existing and future demand for tourists, visitors and business clients to Bridgwater town centre and the wider region.”

For more information on the plans, search reference number 08/24/00046 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.

Public consultation on the plans is now open, and comments are welcomed until Sunday, May 26 - approval could be given from the following day.