Plans to transform a Foregate Street building into a 62 room hotel have been given the go-ahead by council planners.

The planning application, submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council by JBSL Holdings Ltd, proposed 62 self-contained and furnished apartments.

The scheme at 46 - 52 Foregate Street sits above Mcdonald's and Bodycare, and according to the application will eventually take over the ground floor of Deichmann once its lease ends.

The ground and first floors operated by McDonald's will remain unaffected, with the Bodycare shop continuing to trade as normal at ground floor level.

The original proposals were questioned by the The Chester Archaeological Society.

Whilst it welcomed the bid to 'bring unused upper floors back into use', the group voiced concerns about its profit margins in what they said was a seemingly saturated market.

"We have to question the commercial viability of the present scheme," the society said.

"If use as an aparthotel failed, would conversion into ordinary apartments be practical?"

Its proposed external appearance was also a topic of contention.

McDonald's will remain unaffected, with the Bodycare shop continuing to trade as normal at ground floor level (Image via: Planning application)

The society added: "Stylistically the proposals comprise a remarkably incongruous mixture of Arts and Crafts additions and detailing to a post-war 'Georgian derivative' structure.

"The overall, dark coloured diaper work is crude, creates an unwelcome uniform effect and competes with the prominent half-timbering of no 44 to the west.

"The proposed large gables are wholly inappropriate to the Georgian-style facade."

In response to this objection, the council's planning officer stated that it was "not reasonable" to impose a planning condition to prevent the site becoming a residential or student use.

They continued: "The economic viability of the resulting hotel is not considered to be a material planning consideration and is therefore afforded no weight."

Plans show each flat will feature a kitchenette or a full kitchen, living area and one or more bedrooms, combining elements of traditional hotels and apartment rentals.

It said: "There is a demand for this offering in the historic heart of the city centre, which our scheme seeks to provide.

"The scheme proposal in Chester's city centre aims to address the gap in the market for aparthotels that offer a higher numbers of serviced rooms and additional amenities, such as a gym.

Plans show each flat will feature a kitchenette or a full kitchen, living area and one or more bedrooms (Image via: Planning application)

"Whilst Chester has several hotels, serviced apartments and short-stay accommodation, many of them are not located in the heart of the historic city centre and do not offer the range of amenities that our proposed Aparthotel will provide."

Parking for the aparthotel will be restricted to only six spaces: one of which will be wheelchair accessible.

The application also listed economic benefits to the hotel proposals, such as new jobs in the city centre.

It said: "The site will support a range of jobs at both the construction and operational stages, contributing positively to local employment.

"The proposed development will encourage greater travel to and within the city of Chester, supporting the local economy.

"In conclusion, the proposed development of a new 62 serviced apartment Aparthotel at 46-52 Foregate Street Chester represents a significant contribution to the community's economic, social, and environmental sustainability."

You can access the original application here.