Construction begins on Marriott Courtyard hotel at Milton Gate

Construction has commenced on a 170-bedroom Marriott Courtyard hotel at Milton Gate, the gateway to the Milton Park business park near Didcot in South Oxfordshire.

The new hotel will feature a destination lounge bar, a restaurant using locally-sourced produce with al fresco dining, business meeting pods, conference facilities and a gym. Completion is anticipated for autumn 2018.

The scheme has been granted planning consent under Milton Park's Local Development Order, which allows for development to be fast-tracked. In July 2014, South Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council commissioned a report which identified a need for a significant increase in hotel supply in the area.

The site was acquired by Reef Estates from Milton Park for an undisclosed sum, will be a franchise with REEF Estates Hotels, and is being constructed by Bowmer and Kirkland.

Piers Slater, chief executive of Reef Estates, said: "We are excited to be working with Marriott Hotels International to deliver a much needed quality hotel in South Oxfordshire. The hotel and its associated facilities will provide a unique local experience for the business traveller, and a new destination for Didcot Garden Town and the wider area."

Philip Campbell, commercial director of MEPC, which operates Milton Park, added: "The new hotel will help meet the needs of Milton Park's occupiers by providing superb overnight accommodation and conference facilities. It will also be beneficial to the local community and visitors to the Oxfordshire region."

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