Silverstone hotel proposal refused

Plans to build a £50m hotel at Silverstone have been refused by South Northamptonshire Council.

Although the council supported the principle of a hotel and conference centre in the area, it decided the design of the scheme and the suggested location for it was "unsuitable".

The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) was proposing to add a futuristic six-storey, 206-bedroom hotel and conference centre at the famous race track. Councillors said the hotel was too big for the site and that the material proposed for the building (silver-grey steel panels), its height and its scale were not in keeping with the character of the area.

Councillor Stephen Clarke said: "The council supports BRDC's objective, but we think there is further to go to get a better design in a more appropriate location, which would enhance the overall profile of the facility."

BRDC was warned a few weeks ago that, if its plans were not revised, with two storeys knocked off the development, they would be refused.