World renowned novelist and Professer, Stephen Hawking has lent his support to a campaign by local residents in Cambridge to stop a four-storey hotel extension being built along the River Cam.
Stephen joined the campaign to stop the Doubletree, a new hotel development planned by Hilton in Granta Place, extending their current property with a further 56 new rooms overlooking the river.
The internationally acclaimed astrophysicist signed up to the campaign after viewing plans for the development. A spokesman for Professor Hawking explained: “Stephen has seen the plans and fully supports the efforts of the Newnham residents in opposing them.”
Jane Ewart, chairperson of the Old Newnham Residents Association that started the campaign, commented: “Professor Hawking is just one of the people to add his name to our petition against this building, which will detract from one of the most picturesque areas of the city. Our main concern is that a one-storey building will become a four-storey building very close to the river – an imposing and unwanted presence that will overlook an area used by thousands of people each year."
The plans are set to be considered at a Cambridge City Council planning meeting on July 28.
Residents plan to hold a protest near the hotel later on this week.
