A HOTEL planned at Pitchcroft racecourse could be built on stilts to keep its customers warm and dry.

Arena Leisure plc wants to construct a four-star hotel and conference centre where the Grandstand is at the moment.

The plan is part of a package to raise the profile of the course and generate revenue.

Talks have been held with Worcester City Council's planners in the aftermath of the November floods, which transformed Pitchcroft into a vast lake.

Despite this, Arena Leisure plc remains committed to the project, saying people and vehicles could be evacuated if the Severn began to burst its banks.

"The hotel would be built away from the flood plain," said Stuart McNidder, the director of development services.

"Arena has discussed the project with the Environment Agency and the hotel could be built on stilts, one floor above the water level.

"The space underneath would be used for car parking spaces, which obviously would flood."

People staying at the hotel - likely to have around 60 beds - would be able to go to and from the building using "high level walkways", Mr McNidder added.

He and colleagues were expecting an application from Arena Leisure plc "early in the New Year".

Robin Longstaff-Tyrell, Arena Leisure plc's property director, estimated that it would be at least the spring before the application was put before councillors for a decision.

"We need to ensure that the main accommodation block is above the level to which the Severn rose in 1947," he said.

"Car parking and storage space would be allocated below. Normally there is 48 hours' warning before Pitchcroft floods, during which time we would put into effect some sort of evacuation procedures."

Arena Leisure plc has been told by Worcester City Council to draft an environmental impact assessment, forecasting the effects on ecology and the flood plain.