ONE of the Spa's landmark buildings could be extended.

The owners of the town's popular Chateau Impney Hotel have submitted a major planning application to Wychavon District Council following on-going talks with English Heritage.

The scheme to create extra bedroom facilities at the site has been running for a number of years following concerns about the impact the development would have. Discussions have been taking place for at least six years.

However, it is now believed that a plan which meets with the approval of English Heritage, has been finalised.

The current revised scheme is for a much smaller building than was originally planned. The blueprints are for a three-and-a-half storey octagonal building at the rear of the Chateau for 160 bedrooms.

The new building will be linked to the Chateau. The existing 1970s bedroom block will also be refurbished.

The Chateau Impney is a Grade II listed building located on green belt land to the north of Droitwich. It is set in landscaped grounds of 150 acres.

The hotel already has development associated with it and features modern conference facilities at the site.

Those facilities are one of the main reasons for the application, which aims to provide accommodation for the conference delegates who regularly visit the hotel.

The applicants, Impney Hotels, claim that such a facility is essential as they have been losing a considerable amount of business because of the lack of available rooms. The current conference facilities allow for up to 1,000 delegates, but bedroom capacity is only 115.

Droitwich Spa's Civic Society has so far made no objections to the plans, providing that arrangements can be made to deal with the extra traffic due to the development.

Planning officers have recommended that the application be approved when it comes before Wychavon's development control committee tomorrow (Thursday).

Planning officials will also consider an application for listed building consent in relation to the development.