Developers of a new hotel next to an industrial park have given assurances that steps will be taken to ensure people staying at the venue will be kept safe and behave quietly.

DCC Investments Ltd is creating a new 17-bedroom hotel in the old military police headquarters on the Bentwaters Park fomer USAF airbase site.

The Woodbridge-based company has applied for a premises licence to permit regulated entertainment, late night refreshments and “on” and “off” sales of alcohol.

However, a report to Suffolk Coastal’s licensing and health sub-committee on August 17 – which will decide the application – says five nearby businesses on Bentwaters Park at Rendlesham have lodged objections.

Their letters express fears that the granting of a licence will cause public nuisance if guests from the hotel are allowed to wander onto the business park, with safety a concern as the business area is not well lit, there are no public walkways and lorries frequently pass the hotel.

DCC Investments’ agents said: “Although large parts of the industrial area of Bentwaters Park have few footpaths this is not an area where we would expect residents at the hotel to venture, although some may have business there during the day.

“Lighting will also be provided for the exterior of the building and the car parking areas.

“We recognize that people visiting the hotel should be advised generally about any potential dangers, also behavioural matters such as leaving quietly even though there are no residential properties in the immediate vicinity.

“It is the intension of the DCC Investments Ltd to place notices within and outside the building (car park).

“The signs will advise visitors not to venture into the Industrial areas on foot and will also advise them to consider their general behaviour when on the hotel site.

“It is also intention of DCC Investments Ltd to ensure that all the appropriate measures required for proper management of the hotel, as required through a Premises Licence, be addressed.

“DCC Investments Ltd seek to implement a number of measures which, following the advice provided by the police, will assist in both advising and directing customers when on the premises and to control behavioural matters.”

The company said CCTV will be installed within the building and on the outside to cover the car parking areas.

It felt presence of its staff on site 24 hours a day would also add extra security for the whole Bentwaters complex.

The disused military police station has been vacant since the USAF left in 1993. Its conversion will include restaurant area, kitchen, games room and meeting room, and a 33-space car park. Councillors were told it would create eight full-time and five part-time jobs.

Planning officers said the hotel would accommodate business visitors, including visiting film and television crews using the nearby studios; visitors to functions in the area, in particular local wedding venues where overnight accommodation is required only; and tourists.