Hotel expansion rejection overturned by appeal

A proposal to enlarge a hotel, initially denied by local authorities, has received approval after an appeal successfully reversed the original decision. The proprietors of the Courtyard by Marriott, situated on Paradise Street, are now authorized to incorporate nine additional rooms into the 149-bedroom establishment by expanding its sixth floor. Oxford City Council had rejected the application in March, partly due to the perceived impact on significant nearby structures, including St George’s Tower and Oxford Castle. However, planning inspector Andrew Tucker determined that the project “would not have a harmful effect on the significance” of those assets, thereby permitting the hotel’s plan to proceed. The four-star hotel commenced operations in summer 2019 and is owned by Dominus, the company that submitted the planning permission request. Dominus indicated that the hotel maintains high usage throughout the year and anticipated its occupancy rate could increase to 98% in June and July.