Former asylum seeker hotel to be refurbished

A hotel formerly used to house asylum seekers is set to be refurbished and extended by a new operator.

Village Hotel Club plans to reopen the former Delta Marriott in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire by 2028.

The hotel in Halfhide Lane was used to accommodate asylum seekers from December 2022 but has been empty since the last of them moved out earlier this year.

Broxbourne Borough Council's planning committee unanimously agreed on 29 July to approve plans for the hotel to be reconfigured with a new gym and spa facility and an extended restaurant and bar.

While the building's footprint would grow under the plans, the number of bedrooms will fall from 145 to 142.

Facilities including the gym, restaurant and bar will be accessible to local residents as well as hotel guests, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Robin Leahy, director of mergers and acquisitions at Village Hotel Club, said: "We believe this proposal represents an opportunity to breathe life into an existing vacant hotel, support the local economy, and create a destination that will serve Cheshunt's residents, businesses and visitors.

"Our current ambition is to open during 2028 and, where opportunities exist to accelerate the delivery, we will always look to do so without compromising quality."

Committee members welcomed the application, with Shenis Hassan Hasan (Conservative) saying she was "absolutely delighted".

Conservative chair Peter Chorley added that he was "pleased to see a business wanting to invest in Broxbourne".

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