PLANS for a new 70-bed hotel and restaurant next to a cinema on the edge of York will come under the spotlight this week.

The schemes have been drawn up by Derby Property Investments Ltd, which is looking to set up the businesses at Clifton Moor, but the firm’s proposals have drawn a mixed response from City of York Council planning officers.

They will be discussed when the authority’s east area planning sub-committee meets on Thursday, with the hotel project recommended for refusal but the restaurant scheme being backed by planners.

Derby Property Investments wants to build the restaurant within a car park which serves Vue Cinema on Stirling Road, while the budget hotel, which the company said would cater for people who prefer not to stay in the city centre, is earmarked for the eastern edge of the site.

However, North Yorkshire Police have objected to the hotel plans, with a report which will go before this week’s meeting saying the force felt not enough attention had been given to dealing with crime prevention in a “high-risk area” for offending. Tourism body Visit York has also said the scheme did not address the need for “distinctive and high-quality hotels” close to York Station and the city centre.

“There are a number of existing planning permissions for hotel development within and on the edge of the city centre, and no evidence has been submitted to indicate these sites could not meet the current demand for hotel accommodation,” said development management officer Michael Jones in the report.

The restaurant scheme, which would lead to 47 car-parking places being lost, has been recommended for approval, but Mr Jones’ report on this application said there would be enough remaining space for motorists and it would not have “a significant impact on the vitality and viability of the city centre”. It would sit at the end of row of eating-out spots also including the Chquito’s and Frankie and Benny’s outlets.

Derby Property Investments has said both schemes would create new jobs, but the number would depend on which chain runs the hotel and restaurant if the plans are approved.