Plans to create a new spa and garden in the grounds of a luxury hotel in Bishopton have been given the green light by Renfrewshire Council.
Planning permission has been granted for the refurbishment and upgrade of leisure facilities at Mar Hall as significant changes are made at the resort. The project – given the go ahead by the local authority last week – includes an overhaul of the golfer’s lodge, which is known as the Barn.
A design, access and heritage statement – drafted by architectural company Unwin Jones Partnership – outlined the extent of the suggested works and included a series of artist’s impressions.
It said: “This statement is in support of a planning application for … the refurbishment and upgrade of the existing leisure facilities and leisure building bedrooms, the creation of a new spa and spa Garden, external modification of the leisure building elevations and the internal and external alterations to the Barn (existing golfer’s lodge) located to the west of Mar Hall Hotel.”
The spa will consist of a reception, eight treatment rooms, wellbeing and fitness suites, sauna and thermal pool. Meanwhile, the garden will wrap around the north-west corner of the building and include a thermal pool, covered seating area and warm rooms with glazed facades. Terraced lawn areas and a cold water swimming pond are also planned.
The application – which was submitted by agent company Turley on behalf of Mar Hall Hospitality – marked another stage in a series of improvements at the five-star hotel after it was rescued from administration by Dubai-based outfit Dutco last year. “The intention is to put Mar Hall on the map and create a destination that more than just a very local audience is aware of,” the statement explained.
“The wide-ranging proposals will allow the unique atmosphere of this historic estate to resonate and be complimented by high quality customer service and an attractive array of activities, facilities and accommodation types that will appeal to a national and international audience. These sustainable proposals will ensure the financial viability of the resort going forward and avoid the painful and damaging administration of 2023 ever happening again.”
In the official decision notice, the council confirmed the proposal was in line with the provisions of the development plan.
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