PLANS for a 123-bedroom hotel with a gym, restaurant and bar at the site of the former HMRC tax office in Newport have been revealed.

Under a planning application submitted to Newport City Council, Crown Buildings in Chepstow Road, Newport, would be converted into use as a seven-floor hotel.

The ground floor would include a reception, function room, gym and bar, while a restaurant would be accommodated on the fifth floor.

The nine-storey, 1970s building, between Chepstow Road and Caerleon Road, has laid vacant for several years with attempts to market the site unsuccessful since 2011.

A design and access statement says it is hoped the hotel will act as a ‘catalyst’ for further development of vacant units between Clarence Place and the city centre.

“There has been significant growth in and around the city centre in recent years, which has generated further demand for hotel accommodation in the area,” the statement says.

It adds: “There is a shortage of hotel accommodation within the city at present.

“This is expected to be exacerbated by the development of the International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW), which we understand was highlighted in the ICCW Wales Business Plan and Independent UK Conference market report (carried out by The Right Solution Ltd on behalf of the Welsh Government).

“It is also understood that the shortage of hotel accommodation has been raised by a number of potential event organisers looking to book future events at the ICCW.”

The development would generate “significant employment opportunities,” as well as economic benefits for local suppliers, according to the design statement prepared by LRJ Planning Ltd on behalf of GN & RB.

Designs intend to allow rooms of the hotel “natural surveillance” of the surrounding area.

It is hoped that by having a presence in the building at all times of day and night, it will help discourage crime and anti-social behaviour.

The hotel would also ensure a beneficial re-use of the building, preventing it from falling into disrepair and becoming a potential target for anti-social behaviour, the plans state.

The development would come with 60 parking spaces, cycle storage and areas for motorcycles.

A lift would also provide easy access to the upper floors.

A travel plan says the site is a “highly sustainable location”, within walking distance of facilities and the city’s bus and railway station.

The application says the development would therefore have a negligible impact on the local highway network.

View the plans at newport.gov.uk, searching reference 18/0971.