A Kent council has unveiled new plans for a 100-bedroom hotel and decked car park.

The proposal is to build the new affordable hotel on the site of Sennocke Car Park, off Hitchen Hatch Lane.

Before this can happen Sevenoaks District Council's plan is to add two decks to Bradbourne car park within 18 months to increase council parking capacity in the area.

This would increase the availability to 450 spaces - 150 more than Bradbourne and Sennocke provide currently.

Council officers hope this will more than compensate for the loss of Sennocke Car Park before work starts on the site.

Plans will provide parking for hotel guests, additional capacity for current and future commuter demand and could reduce all day parking in some nearby residential roads, which are used by commuters.

During the works, existing season ticket holders would be offered alternative parking in the town.

Sevenoaks District Council said it has identified two potential partners - including a nationally recognised hotel chain - to help deliver the hotel project, which will be decided by the council's cabinet next week.

An agreement in principle has been drawn up with the two companies to manage the construction of the hotel if the project is approved by councillors.

Sevenoaks District Council would fund the works with the hotel chain leasing the development for 25 years once construction works have finished.

The proposal is subject to planning consent and the council said people will be encouraged to comment on the proposals as part of the planning process.

Cllr Peter Fleming, the council leader, said: “Tourist attractions and local businesses have been calling for a flagship hotel to come to Sevenoaks for many years.

"With this ambitious proposal we believe we can boost the local economy while at the same time generating income as part of our drive to achieve Self Sufficiency. Local people will benefit too as additional car parking capacity should take the pressure off some residential roads.”

For further information about the proposal, visit

www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/hotel&carpark