PLANS for a new 20-bedroom hotel at a pub in Harnham have been approved.

Pub chain Greene King has been given permission to build a hotel next to the Greyfisher pub, in Ayleswade Road, following the demolition of derelict garages.

According to the proposal, the two-storey block will be built at the back of the existing pub, with a paved and covered link between the two.

The hotel was approved at a meeting of Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee on Thursday, despite objections.

Speaking at the meeting, neighbour Anne Waddington said the company “reluctantly tweaked” its original plans to include frosted windows, but it would still be imposing with the potential for increased “illumination” into her home.

The neighbours’ plight was backed by committee member Sven Hocking.

Cllr Hocking said: “I am generally supportive of this type of thing.

“Salisbury is a tourism city but as it stands in this case I am on the side of the residents. They feel their properties and daily lives will be adversely affected.”

But Mr Gilbert from Greene King said the company had worked hard on the design to alleviate residents’ concerns and minimise the impact.

“The impact is very different,” he said. “Visitors use rooms very differently to a house.

“They come to a hotel and they don’t stay in the room. When they leave the rooms the lights turn off automatically.”

Mr Gilbert added that the hotel would provide “significant economic benefits” to the city.

Residents also expressed concerns that, due to the extension, smells from the pub, particularly the extractor fan, would worsen with breakfast being cooked for hotel guests.

The meeting heard that there were also fears that safety issues on the side road to access the hotel would heightened with more cars expected to use the track from Ayleswade Road.

Committee chairman Fred Westmoreland said: “There is an opportunity to address the entire circulation at that entrance.

“I think the problems that have been perceived can be overcome.”

He added: “Pubs don’t run as pubs anymore unless you are right in the middle of the city you don’t rely on the beer trade. If I wanted to visit Salisbury from elsewhere this would be a perfect location.”

Members later approved the application, with seven voting in favour, but with a number of conditions. The company will have to apply for permission for any illuminated signs.