PLANS for a new four-star hotel in Barnsley town centre moved a step closer on Wednesday after councillors approved funding to develop the scheme.

Barnsley Council’s cabinet agreed to release £660,000 to support early development work linked to the next phase of The Seam’s regeneration project on County Way.

The funding will be used to appoint a development management organisation to carry out detailed preparatory work for the scheme.

This includes developing a business case for the proposed hotel, progressing early design work and exploring options for how the project could be delivered.

Council officers say Barnsley currently lacks high-quality hotel accommodation to meet demand.

As a result, visitors attending meetings, conferences or events in the town are often forced to stay elsewhere, meaning potential spending is lost to neighbouring areas.

Initial concept work suggests the hotel could include around 120 rooms, alongside conference and event space intended to support the town’s growing business and technology sectors.

However, the council stressed the project remains at an early stage, with the detailed design, layout and final delivery model still to be developed.

Councillor Robert Frost, cabinet member for core services, told the meeting: “It’s important that we continue to redevelop the town centre.

“Data suggests we’re lacking a quality hotel and money is needed to make it happen.”