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 £5million 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 - and nearly 100 objections have already been made to the application.

Guests can already stay in the castle's glamping pods and Knight's Village (Image by Steve Chatterley)

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."

The castle recently won planning permission to move its overflow car park to an adjacent field - adding a further 100 spaces in the process.

This despite the objections of locals.

Nearly 100 objections have already been received (Image by Steve Chatterley)

Resident Joan Howard, 50, who has lived in the shadow of the castle for 15 years, said the hotel plans were no better.

"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."

Merlin's Response

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 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 submitted the plans for the hotel, which they say would create 29 new jobs, in January 2022 with building starting next Autumn if it gets the green light.