COUNCIL planners have given the go-ahead to plans which could see 120 houses built at the iconic Chateau Impney estate.

Wychavon District Council's planning committee met on September 22, where they discussed plans from the Impney Estate for a major revamp of the site.

They had been recommended for refusal, with council officers calling them over-development and not suitable for the site.

Despite their concerns, councillors backed the plans but made them subject to a full Section 106 agreement being put in place.

This is to guarantee the future of the site whether the re-opening of the hotel is a success or not.

Defending the plans, Rod Spollon from the Impney Estate said: "In 2012, when the estate was losing £1.5million per annum, we rescued it.

"I have dedicated myself in that time to the custodianship of the estate and continue to do so.

"It is clear there is a need to move to a more boutique operation, focusing investment into the core building and redeveloping the wider estate more sympathetically giving space to breathe in reinstated parkland."

Mr Spollon also added the plans were concerned with "commercial realism" and "deliverability".

The Impney Estate's plans for redevelopment include building 127 new houses on the site, as well as a regeneration of the chateau itself.

This includes demolishing the newer extensions and outbuildings as well as an interior refurbishment.

Councillors noted that the Impney Estate plans had involved "substantial" consultation with residents as well as revisions before the planning application was submitted.

In the initial consultation into the plans, more than 160 responses were received, of which none were negative.

Ward councillor Rick Deller asked Mr Spollon what would happen to the estate if the plans were refused as well as what timetable there could be for the work.

In response, Mr Spollon said there was a great deal of uncertainty about what might happen to the Chateau if the plans were rejected, calling his plan the only credible solution.

Addressing the question of timetables, he added it could not be said yet due to the needs of setting the right planning conditions and Section 106 agreements.

To watch the committee meeting in full, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJLwBt5EWCA