Plans have been submitted to create 57 hotel-style bedrooms to support a “new business hub” at Newton Rigg, near Penrith.
The planning application seeks approval to change the use of what were dormitories for the former agricultural college and create contemporary hotel accommodation.
Newton Rigg College closed in June, 2021, and was sold in the September of that year to the current owners, Leo Group and AW Jenkinson. A spokesman for the Leo Group said: “Since we acquired Newton Rigg in 2021, our vision has been to open the site not only to local businesses and for training and educational purposes, but also to attract new, larger companies that will support the region with new jobs.
“One of the larger companies we have already been able to bring in is Viberoptix, which continues to grow. However, on several occasions we have found that the lack of available and suitable hotel accommodation in the area is a barrier.
“In order to make it more attractive for larger businesses to locate in Newton Rigg and to support existing businesses such as Viberoptix with suitable accommodation, we plan to convert four of the currently unused buildings into overnight hotel-style accommodation.” The application said the accommodation would be flexible, to meet the needs of users including business travellers, tourists, contractors and temporary workers associated with infrastructure projects coming up in the area.
“The old buildings, which were formerly used as student dormitories and are now empty but need upgrading to modern standards, are predestined for this new use as they already bring easily adaptable floor plans. With planning permission for this overnight accommodation, we can continue our ambitious plans to develop Newton Rigg into a new business hub, further supporting the local economy.”
