Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 4:00pm

A night at the races

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A PROPOSED 200-bedroom hotel opposite Ascot Racecourse is a step closer to reality after the plan was welcomed by councillors and police.

Arora International Hotels has teamed up with the racecourse to create a four-star Royal Ascot Hotel on the land, currently used by Ascot Police Station.

Alastair Warwick, general manager of the racecourse, said if the hotel gets the go-ahead the police station will move into part of the racecourse's pavilion.

He said: "We are delighted that our partners will be Arora International Hotels, whose most recently opened hotel is the Sofitel at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

"We are currently negotiating the contractual arrangements with Arora and with our landlords, the Crown Estate, and developing the architectural look and feel of the hotel."

Councillors discussed plans to move the police station into part of the racecourse's pavilion at Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council's planning committee meeting on Tuesday, March 2. Royal Borough Cllr David Hilton believes moving the station should not cause any problems so long as it stays open and is easily accessible.

The Ascot ward councillor said: "It's probably no more than 100m away from where the station is at the moment. As long as it is sign-posted so any concerned residents can find it and it is easy to get to, the move should

be fine."

No objections were raised at the meeting in the Ascot District Day Centre and the police say they are fully in support of the application. Thames Valley Police currently lease the station in the High Street off the racecourse.

As soon as the contractual agreements are arranged, Mr Warwick and his team will apply for planning permission.

Mr Warwick added: "At that stage, we will also hold public meetings to keep local residents informed, in the same way as we did with the redevelopment of the racecourse.

"We are not, at this stage, making any announcement about when the hotel might open as we feel it is premature to do so until we secure planning permission."