A 54-bedroom floating Premier Inn hotel is set to be built at Hartlepool Marina, Durham, after the local authority indicated that it is minded to approve the scheme, subject to outstanding consultations.

Hartlepool Council's planning committee said the development, which will act as an extension to the marina's existing Premier Inn, will provide valuable accommodation space for the town ahead of the 2010 Tall Ships' Race. The Whitbread-owned budget hotel chain unveiled plans for the 'floatel' in December, which will be the first of its kind in the UK and has been designed to float vertically with the tide to ensure guests avoid sea sickness. Sleeved piles will be driven into the marina to restrict horizontal movement.

George Morris, chair of the council's planning committte, said: "This is a wonderful development for Hartlepool, which will enhance the marina and provide much-needed hotel accommodation for the town."