PLANS to extend a hotel at Abberley, near Worcester, look set to create 60 new jobs.

Last week, Malvern Hills District Council gave the go-ahead in principle for an extension to the Elms Hotel which will provide 25 new rooms, bringing the total to 40.

The application also included 11 staff/volunteer rooms, and improvements to the access around the hotel and the spa.

The decision has been welcomed by the hotel's owner, Tim Hopkins.

He said: "I was delighted with the response from Malvern Hills District Council’s planning committee and we now continue to progress the final parts of the application.

“I am pleased to say that the designs by One Creative Environments absolutely meets the brief of keeping the original charm of the Elms and a luxury experience for everyone, with the added benefit of care.

“I believe that everyone should have access to life’s opportunities, whether they have a disability or not. I want to provide fully accessible, affordable hotel rooms and my vision is for people to ask to be ‘upgraded’ to a disabled room due to the experience and quality being provided.”

“The new scheme will have significant benefits to the local economy, with a capital investment of circa £10m, and will result in 60 full time jobs once completed.”

The Elms is a grade-II listed building and is currently operated as a country hotel with spa retreat, set within mature parkland of more than eight acres.

The Elms was built in 1710 and designed by Thomas White, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren. White’s other work includes the Guildhall at Worcester,