MAJOR plans for an airport hotel have been drawn up by developers for a third time.

Architects claim the proposals for a 75-bedroom hotel at Biggin Hill airport are more ambitious than the previous two failed applications for three-star 100-bedroom hotels.

Those applications were thrown out by council planning bosses but architects EPR hope the new four-star hotel on Wireless Road will win over sceptics.

Chairman of Biggin Hill Residents Association David Haslam says residents are behind the proposals which include a swimming pool, restaurant and soundproof bedrooms.

He said: “The first designs did lack architectural merit and in the second application developers seemed to address those problems but it was still turned down.

“It seems illogical that pilots have to travel to the Bromley Court Hotel or Croydon to find somewhere to stay.

“It underlines the fact there is a need for a hotel.

“There is also a green way of thinking that if pilots are having to drive away from the airport it can’t be good for the planet.

He added: “The argument that the hotel would generate more traffic is not necessarily the case. We want to see the airport succeed.”

Airport director Peter Lonergan says he is in favour of giving pilots more opportunity to stay close to their aircraft.

Applications made by the airport and hotel company Ramada were initially turned down by Bromley Council last year and in 2006 because of the buliding's size, location and design.

They were then rejected again by the Government on appeal as planning inspectors criticised the designs for being unimaginative.

Architects say the curved structure of the new hotel, which is closer to the runway, is very different to previous designs.

A formal planning application is expected be submitted to Bromley Council early next year.