PLANS to build a 17-room two-storey extension to Egypt Mill in Nailsworth have been approved by Stroud District Council.

The proposal, submitted by Matthew Webb in February, is the first of three schemes which he is planning for the site.

Alongside the approved 17-room extension to the Grade II listed Egypt Mill, Mr Webb also got the green light to build an ancillary building to house boilers and hotel laundry, and change the layout of the car park.

A new riverside footpath from Station Road to Egypt Mill and secure parking area will also be added to the north of the site.

There are further plans, not yet submitted, for 12 serviced apartments, aimed at the semi-retired market, for long term let, as well as the removal of the bungalow from the Meadows area and the addition of seven modern eco-buildings for holiday lets.

In the application Mr Webb states: “The proposed expansion of hotel accommodation will offer not only increased capacity but also increased flexibility, offering fully-accessible rooms, rooms with a variety of self-catering options, and options for groups or families not currently possible within the existing accommodation.

“All this will result in the creation of permanent jobs.

“Egypt Mill is a busy well used destination in the heart of Nailsworth, this development aims to perpetuate and expand this contribution to the town centre.”

The vehicular access to the site is unchanged but there will be a new pedestrian access via a gate on Station Road next to the river bridge and passing along the river bank on the west side of the Jones Building.

Mr Webb states that by reorganising the parking layout he can improve efficiency but also free up a total of 90 parking spaces, which he will extend by adding a covered area for 11-14 vehicles.

The paths and parking surfaces will be Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage (RSuDS) standard compacted gravel.

He plans to use low energy materials such as timber, steel and stone to maximise renewable energy and hopes protect the existing trees and planting to “enhances the quality of this important open greenspace in the heart of Nailsworth.”

Nailsworth Town Council approves of the overall scheme, in a comment on the planning website it stated: “NTC supports the overall scheme with the following observations: There are no visible sign of safe footpath access from the main entrance and in front of the Jones Building.

“Good pedestrian access is required from Station Road, including wheelchair/pushchair accessibility.

“There is no observation of marked disabled parking bays or facilities for bicycles to be parked.

“NTC has concerns about Highways access and parking for the current proposal and for future plans which have been outlined by the applicant.”

To view the plans in full visit the SDC website and search for application S.17/0499/FUL.