Hotel and spa plan for Whitchurch lake site

The 50-bedroom hotel, spa and restaurant already has initial planning permission.

Now applicants H Bebbington and Son are looking to receive the full-go-ahead from Shropshire Council.

The proposal also includes 10 holiday lodges and an extension to the existing lodge building which will house a cafe and retail units selling items such as clothing, gardening and outdoor products.

Stuart Thomas, planning agent for Berrys, said the hotel, spa and restaurant will overlook Alderford Lake as identified in the original application.

He said little has changed since that first application was granted three years ago.

Quoting the original proposal, he said: “Significant amounts of glass will be incorporated into the design of the buildings to ensure that they are flooded with natural light, to utilise passive solar heating and to enable residents to benefit from extensive views over Alderford Lake and its rural surroundings.

“Buildings will make use of the outdoor space in the form of balconies and decked patio areas on the periphery of the lake to connect the new development to the existing natural areas of the site in a manner which is sympathetic to the lake and its rural location.”

The outline planning permission was granted in September 2015.

It received the backing of residents who said it would increase tourism, bring more footfall to Whitchurch town centre and create jobs for local people.

A decision on the application is expected by November 21.

Alderford Lake is currently used to provide a range of leisure activities including walks, wild swimming, events and camping, while the lakeside cafe serves food seven days a week.

By Emily Lloyd, local democracy reporter