A NEW £5 million boutique hotel with spa facilities planned for Malvern may tap into the town's world famous mineral water.

Colwall developer John Williams is investigating the possibility of using the famous Malvern water in the spa.

Plans for the luxury hotel complex with 34 bedrooms, connecting indoor and outdoor pools and spa facilities at Grovewood Road, off Townsend Way, Malvern Link, have been approved by members of the Malvern Hills District Council southern area development control committee.

Mr Williams said: "I have a licence to drill for the water with regard to testing it. If we can incorporate it in the spa, we will. It is a good selling point. The more we can identify Malvern with the spa era the better."

The town boomed in Victorian days when it became popular for "taking the waters". Drs James Wilson and Gully set up their water cure establishments in Belle Vue in the 1840s and the water's reputation was firmly established by J Schweppes and Co at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and is best known for "containing nothing at all" - its high levels of purity.

Rose Garrard, chairman of the Malvern Spa Association, said: "I think it would be brilliant if they could use Malvern water. We are long overdue a contemporary hotel and spa. It will help to revive Malvern as a spa."

She said Dr John Wall, founder of Worcester Royal Infirmary and Worcester Porcelain, recommended patients used Malvern water for washing sores as well as skin and eye infections because it was so pure.

"That was when the town suddenly expanded. Since then the shift has been towards drinking the water. There are springs in Malvern Link. There is a prolific spring in Spring Lane which supplied Malvern Link," added Ms Garrard.

Mr Williams said he hoped to have an area of the hotel reception given over to the history of Malvern water and the spa would include 10 treatment rooms offering mud treatments, Indian treatments, reflexology, aromatherapy and a number of others. There will be a steam room and sauna, a cold plunge pool and people will be able to have ice rubs.

"Most of our spa is based on natural organic practices. Food will be organic and locally sourced."

Mr Williams says the luxury facilities are likely to appeal to local people and visitors from all over the country. "It is very much about pampering yourself."