'Sleeping Pod' Plans for Putney Hotel
Scheme to convert office space into visitor accommodation
mk hotel on Putney Bridge Road. Picture: Linder Group
June 21, 2024
A scheme to replace office accommodation with 48 "sleeping pods" to enlarge a Putney hotel have been submitted for approval by council planners.
Linder Group, which operates the 'mk' hotel in Putney Bridge Road, wants to replace the whole of the first floor recently used for its own offices with extra guest accommodation.
In a report submitted to the council on its behalf by planning consultants, Paul Dickinson & Associates, it states, "The hotel is regularly full and has an above average occupancy rate which is indicative of a strong unmet demand.
"The hotel has identified a consistent demand for additional rooms and specifically for pod style accommodation which is becoming increasingly popular."
Wandsworth council has consulted with 83 neighbours about the application for a change of use from offices to hotel use.
The applicant's report also details how a marketing campaign has been carried out with the aim of letting out the space as office accommodation. It said while nine inquiries were made since the campaign began in 2021, none of them followed up with any interest.
The report adds, "The marketing campaign shows there is no interest in offices, and it is considered a change of use to an alternative use is the best way to use space rather than it remaining vacant.
"The additional hotel accommodation would contribute to the local visitor economy and added visitor expenditure in the local area."
The 48 sleeping pods would have shared toilet and shower facilities, a shared sitting/working space and storage areas. The change of use would require internal alterations to the first floor only, with no external works to the property.
The planning application, which states the scheme would be due for completion in February 2025, can be checked by looking up application 2024/1819 on Wandsworth council's planning explorer.
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