Park Plaza has secured planning permission to develop a new hotel in London below one of its existing properties.

PPHE Hotel Group plans to convert 6,500 square metres of “predominantly subterranean space” underneath the Park Plaza Victoria London hotel, which will continue to operate in its current form.

The second property at the site will feature 179 rooms and will have its own dedicated separate entrance from the existing Park Plaza hotel. 

The new hotel will be targeted at the “midscale lifestyle” section of the market although the brand has yet to be revealed.

PPHE said that detailed design, construction and funding plans were currently being prepared and would be announced “in due course”.

Boris Ivesha, president and CEO of PPHE Hotel Group, said: “This is an exciting new project utilising an existing asset and operations in a sought-after location to maximum effect. 

“Situated in the heart of the city, this property will further enhance our London portfolio, broaden our accommodation proposition, enabling us to tap into a new guest demographic, while maximising returns.”