By Adam Dutton via SWNS

Furious locals have blasted plans to build a 60-room hotel in the grounds of Warwick Castle - saying it will turn the historic site into "Disneyland".

Merlin Group, which owns the 953-year-old castle, has lodged plans for a two-storey hotel inside a conservation area.

If approved, the hotel would be built next to the £5 million Knights Village, which comprises 31 luxury medieval-style glamping pods.

Visitors can already stay in one of Caesar's Tower Suites which cost up to

£569-a-night for a family of four.

Residents living in the shadow of the castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068, say the hotel would "ruin" the area.

Speaking previously about the plans, chairman of the Warwick Society, James Mackay, said: "In the view of Warwick Society, it would have to be done very carefully indeed if not to badly damage the character of a very important listed building, an ancient monument and the grounds of it as well.

"There is a severe risk that what would be proposed will destroy what has taken centuries to build and what is increasingly, an 'entertainment park' - they don't like being called a 'theme park' - rather than the castle and its parkland of centuries ago."

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Resident Joan Howard, 50, who has lived in the shadow of the castle for 15 years, said: "There is a sense of the castle becoming a Disneyland, with all that follows.

"First there were the glamping pods, then there was turning the historic tower into a hotel suite, now there's plans to build a bloody big hotel.

"It reminds me of when my husband and I visited Niagra Falls several years ago.

"We could have weeped. Next to this amazing, truly humbling landmark of nature at its fiercest beauty were towering concrete hotels and casinos.

"We cannot let the same happen to such an important historical site like Warwick Castle."

Local historian Graham Woodward, 65, said: "Merlin have been very good at getting people through the doors of Warwick Castle which is impressive.

"The flaming trebuchet launches and jousting contests have certainly added to the historical relevance of the castle and enjoyment for visitors.

"When Merlin took over the castle in 2007 I had one big concern and that

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was they would not be satisfied with simply running the castle for daytrippers.

"A hotel would certainly make them money but at what cost?

"If you have 60 rooms, that's at least 120 people inside the castle. That's on top of the families and guests in the Knights Village.

"On a busy day in the summer, thousands of people pour into the castle. That sheer number of people risks damaging the artefacts and the buildings.

"We cannot simply allow one of this country's treasured castles to be run like some kind of commercial cash cow."

Merlin have held discussions with the local council and heritage groups over their expansion plans.

The proposed location is in the main car park, which falls inside a conservation area.

Writing about the hotel plans on the castle website, they say: "It is within the Warwick

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Conservation Area and Registered Park & Garden but in an area of low aesthetic value.

"We think this is one of the least sensitive areas within the grounds of Warwick Castle.

"It is near the lodges and close to where the glamping tents are located during the summer.

"This means that the hotel can share the restaurant facilities and other infrastructure with the Knight's Village which reduces its size and impact."

Merlin will submit the plans for the hotel, which they say would create 29 new jobs, early next year with building starting next Autumn if it gets the green light.

The firm also plans to build a new car park on an existing field and promised to plant 1,200 new trees.