Camden News: TRAVELODGE, Euston council estate

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Camden News - By CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 17 April 2008

Derek Nesbitt shows the close proximity of the new hotel (left) to the estate where he lives

‘We’re living under shadow thanks to Travelodge hotel’

New 150-room business opens just yards from residents’ homes

A TRAVELODGE hotel built just metres from the bedrooms of tenants of a Euston council estate opens next month.
The 150-room hotel dwarfs Wellesley House in Churchway, but residents whose light and window views have been blocked out admit their battle was lost two years ago and have been forced to watch the construction work at close hand.
Derek Nesbitt, chairman of Wellesley House tenants and residents association, said: “Anything we could see of London is completely wiped out.
“We’re now looking at the back of a hotel. We’re resigned. There’s nothing we can do now to alter the fact it’s there. We’ve lost the battle, it’s built now. We’ve always felt hard done by, rotten from the word go. It was them and us and they were the ones with the money. ”
The land had a complicated ownership history but the hotel group won the right to build on it after Camden’s planners gave them permission. It was passed by one vote in a show of hands of councillors.
Miranda Martin, chairwoman of Churchway tenants and residents association, said: “It’s a relief that it’s nearing the end. It’s been aggravating. It’s been very hard to get the managers to keep us informed. This has not been a good example of how contractors should operate.”
The people hardest hit by the building works were those who are at home during the day, Ms Martin added.
One of the campaigners, Val Keegan, whose husband had a memorial rose bush planted in the garden which had to be moved to make way for the hotel, died during its construction.
A Travelodge spokesman said: “We understand that due to the site being adjacent to a residential area, a number of local residents have been concerned about possible disruption.
“We hope that the local community sees the benefit of the increased number of visitors in the area and the increased tourism spend in local businesses.”

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