A SIX-storey 132-bedroom hotel will be built at Southend Airport after bosses won an appeal.

Southend Airport lodged the appeal with the Secretary of State earlier this year after Southend Council blocked plans for a new hotel to be built at the site.

According to the proposals, the six-storey hotel would be built on a staff car park to the north of Eastwoodbury Crescent, close to the Holiday Inn.

Southend Council initially refused the plans due to concerns over increased traffic and additional on-street parking, impacting safety and the flow of traffic.

But the airport hotel finally has permission to be built.

Delighted, Southend resident Steven Curran, 59, said: “I think this is an absolutely great idea for the airport, and for the town too.

“Some of their main airlines have pulled out as it is, so I’m sure something like this will be the boost they needed.

“It also means people in the area will have somewhere else to stay that is close to the airport. I used to fly from Southend quite a lot where I’ve got a place in the south of France.

“Not only that but if it will also create more jobs in the long term, I think it’s brilliant.

“It should attract more people and businesses too, and is something to look forward to.”

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The hotel will be accompanied with car parking and secure cycle parking.

It follows the departure of both Ryanair and easyJet from Southend Airport, with the aviation industry having taken a huge blow from the Covid pandemic.

David McGlone, councillor for the St Laurence ward, added: “The airport will need all the support it can get if it’s going to get back to pre-pandemic levels and passenger numbers.

“So it will be an asset in my book to have another hotel in Southend.

“As long as they can supply enough parking spaces, I’m in favour of this.”

Glyn Jones, CEO of Southend Airport, said: “We are pleased with the planning inspectorate’s decision and will now review our options going forward.”