Residents bemoan city's hotel fiasco

Joel Dilley and Roy Phinn both said the development was badly managed

People who live in and near a city say a hotel development, which could see a council lose millions of pounds, is a "waste of money".

The Hilton, in Fletton Quays, Peterborough, is set to go on the market after developers, who took a £15m loan from the city council for the project, went into administration.

Roy Phinn, from Werrington, said: "I just think it is a waste of money."

Mohammed Jamil, deputy leader of the Labour group at the city council, said they were trying to "clear up the mess" of the previous council and the full amount might be recouped.

The hotel on Fletton Quays is about 80% complete

Conservative group leader Wayne Fitzgerald previously told the BBC it was the "wrong decision" by the council's cabinet on Thursday to ask administrators to sell the hotel.

In 2017, the Conservative led council borrowed money from the government to loan to developers for the project.

The design plans promised a rooftop bar and al fresco terrace which would overlook the River Nene and were expected to be ready in 2019. However, construction was stalled in 2020.

Five years on, the 160-bedroom hotel remains unfinished and unoccupied, with major works pending, including lifts and gyms.

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, members agreed to go ahead with the sale of the hotel and to ensure the process gets the "best value".

Chris McTernan said she was looking forward to visiting the hotel when completed

Chris McTernan, who lives in Fletton Quays, said the proposed development overlooked her patio.

"I do know some people who are quite disappointed about it, but when it is done it will be OK," she said.

"Public money has got to be used on something and I think Peterborough needs a really up-class hotel."

'Bad management'

However, some residents are angry on how much money the council could lose.

Mr Phinn said he felt the money could be spent in a "better direction" and on other improvements in the area.

"[It's an] absolute waste of money and very bad management," he said.

Whereas Joel Dilley from Whittlesey said the authority should not have taken on the project in the first place.

He said: "I feel very angry that the city will be out of pocket as it is bad management.

"That has been sitting there for so many years with nothing happening to it, and they have let it sit like that."