Plans for a former ‘gentleman’s spa’ to be turned into an ‘air hotel’ with no permanent staff have been approved – but locals are concerned it will attract ‘prostitutes and homeless people’.
Wolf Spa in Nottingham city centre had operated as a health centre from 2017, but now the council has approved plans to turn the building into an ‘unusual’ air hotel with no permanent staff onsite.
The plans say the two-storey building will be turned into an ‘air hotel’ which will be paid for online and the guests will be provided with an access code.
The eight-bedroom hotel won’t have any on-site cooking facilities due to the high number of restaurants nearby, the applicant said.
But locals fear the hotel will become a drug den and attract prostitutes – fearing for the ‘danger’ to their children.
Wolf Spa in Nottingham city centre had operated as a health centre from 2017, but now the council has approved plans to turn the building into an ‘unusual’ air hotel with no permanent staff onsite
The hotel, located on Kilbourn Street, used to function as a spa called the Reflections Health Club, offering ‘sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and therapies’.
But Nottingham City Council have now approved plans to turn the vacant building into an ‘unusual’ hotel.
The planning documents which approved a change of use for the site on Monday, October 23, read: ‘The hotel is advertised online via a website.
‘The accommodation is paid for online, and the customer is provided with an access code which is generated for the visitor only and allows access to the main entrance door, bedroom and courtyard amenity space.
‘The access code is valid only for the period of stay. Visitors then leave the accommodation at the end of their stay period. Doors automatically unlock when exiting the building.’
‘The proposed use is unusual in the sense that it is a form of hotel accommodation without any onsite servicing facilities.
‘It is very likely therefore that the tenure will be for short stays of potentially no more than a few nights, and therefore for a higher turnover of guests than could be expected at a standard hotel.
‘The low number of rooms involved (eight) mean that the level of activity generated by the proposed use would be unlikely to be greater than that of a HMO dwelling or similar, of which there are a number in the vicinity of the application site, plus the student accommodation that occupies the terraced properties and flats opposite on Kilbourn Street.’
There are no cooking or restaurant facilities within the building, which the applicant said in the plans would not be needed due to an ‘abundance of café’s, bars and restaurants’ nearby.
The operator said the hotel will provide accommodation to a range of visitors to the city centre such as parents visiting students, business over-stay accommodation and tourist visitors to the city centre.
But those living on the street are angry, fearing the hotel will attract ‘trouble’.
One neighbour commenting on the planning application said: ‘Understanding that it would be a no staff place, and entry by card payment – I am absolutely not happy with this as it will lead to nothing but trouble.
‘This kind of business will put my children at huge risk not to mention the noise and anti social behaviour.
‘This can not happen it’s right at the back of my house. It’s visible from my living area and isn’t fair on us families.
‘We already have so many issues with students around us please don’t add to this and cause unnecessary danger.’
Another neighbour also objected to the plans, saying: ‘It will be used by prostitutes and homeless people. There is no parking spaces, students take them all.
‘The building is at the bottom of my back gate. My neighbour and I will not feel safe.
‘They will use the entry for drugs and a toilet. There will be no staff so will be a lot of trouble.’
However, others living in the area don’t see the problem.
Commenting online, one person said: ‘Sounds ideal to me, I don’t like the chitchat if I go to a hotel and would much rather use a code instead.
‘As long as it’s clean. Give it a go and if its problematic, then we can moan.’
Another added: ‘I stayed in an air hotel in Cheltenham last year and it reminded me (in a good way) of Mr Bean’s bedsit.
‘It was quaint, quiet and, if anything, boring! Best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages.’
Responding to the objections by neighbours, the planning authority said: ‘The issues of potential anti-social behaviour raised in the neighbours’ comments are noted.
‘However, the low number of rooms involved and level of activity that would otherwise occur if the property was to be converted to flats (as previously approved) or an HMO use would potentially be greater.
‘The application site is also situated within the city centre, with Huntingdon Street being an active route throughout the day.
‘Therefore, whilst it is not possible to discount the potential for antisocial behaviour from occurring at the property, it is considered that there is no evidence that users of a hotel would be more predisposed to such behaviour than other residential uses such as flats or an HMO (it is noted that flats could also be occupied for short stay lets).
‘Daily servicing is indicated in the applicant’s statement, along with general maintenance are also expected to involve some degree of monitoring.’
has contacted the agent that submitted the plans, Paul Hicking, for comment.