A BID to build a 60 bed hotel as part of a new retail park has been submitted.

Aquila has applied for planning permission from Maldon District Council to build the new hotel at The Causeway.

Work has already begun on the Blackwater Retail Park development, which includes eight shopping units.

Stores already announced for the site include Next, Home Bargains, Costa, Aldi and Sports Direct.

It is expected to open in the summer.

But Aquila has now put forward plans for the hotel, car parking and a café adjacent to the hotel.

It has not been revealed who could run the hotel once completed.

The application said: “The hotel building is designed to the operator’s standard room sizes and comprises 60 bedrooms including three accessible rooms together with lobby and reception areas and other associated support areas.

“Vending machines are provided in the lobby, but there is no bar / restaurant area within the hotel. The café adjacent would be available to hotel guests.

“The building is arranged over four floors with the larger family and accessible rooms nearest the lifts with standard double rooms with en-suite showers in the northern section which is terminated by the escape staircase.”

Maldon District Council is expected to decide on the plans by June.