Plans to build a 240-room hotel at Longleat have been approved by Wiltshire Council, bringing the development and potentially 300 new jobs a step closer.
The scheme, which would also include business conference facilities and a water park, must now receive the green light from Highways England. It is still investigating the likely impact of the hotel to the strategic road network.
Longleat Enterprises, which manages the commercial development of the 135-acre estate’s assets, says there would be strong demand for the hotel.
More than 40% of its 1m annual visitors drive for more than two hours to see its attractions, including the world-famous Safari Park, while its business conference facilities for up to 200 delegates would plug a gap in the area’s corporate meetings and events market.
The Longleat Estate, headed by Viscount Weymouth, also believes the hotel would help secure a sustainable, long-term future of its Grade I listed Elizabethan house, and Capability Brown and Humphry Repton heritage parkland.
The hotel development would be built on the edge of the estate, close to Warminster and the A36.
Longleat Enterprises CEO Bob Montgomery said: “The decision to approve our application is a huge boost to Longleat’s long-term future, for Wiltshire and our local town and village communities.
“We’ve still a little way to go and are working to secure Highway England’s final view on the impact of our proposals to the strategic road network in the area, but are confident this will be concluded soon.
“We believe the hotel will enable Longleat to develop and grow over the coming years and will provide a new tourism hub for the area which will create many more jobs and attract new investment.”
Longleat’s planning application was supported by Inspire, which represents chambers of commerce across Wiltshire. Its business development director Mandy Paterson told Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee which approved the plan: “We have over 3,000 business clients from small businesses to large corporates.
“Feedback from these clients, particularly those larger businesses, are that the county has a dearth of appropriate business conference facilities, or hotels able to offer delegates accommodation for more than 120 delegates.
“Businesses currently have no option but to go outside the county for appropriate hotel and conference facilities for larger meetings. This application therefore carries the unreserved support of Inspire and our member businesses.”
Longleat is already a major employer in West Wiltshire with 766 full-time equivalent posts.
Pictured: Drawing of the planned hotel development at Longleat
