Plans to create another 27 rooms at The Warwickshire Hotel and Country Club have been signed off by the district council.

The Club Company has been granted permission to convert a number of farm buildings into 17 rooms, and to demolish a post-war barn to make way for a new block of 10 guest rooms.

The application, which was approved by Warwick District Council (WDC) last week, will also see a new 'link building' containing a small coffee lounge built on the green belt site.

The Leek Wootton hotel was granted permission for a major extension to its main building earlier this year, as the club looks to expand its accommodation offering.

"Overall, the development would bring redundant and under-used buildings back into active and viable use and secure the future of these attractive heritage buildings," the latest application said. 

"It is envisaged that the guest accommodation will be predominantly used by those enjoying short golfing breaks, with the site offering the benefits of extensive views over the course and being immediately adjacent to the club house, golf course tees and driving range."

It added: "The scheme would result in significant economic benefit for the local economy, creating direct employment and increasing both business and destination leisure tourism."

The scheme was backed by Leek Wootton and Guys Cliffe Parish Council.

And WDC said repurposing the barns - which are currently used for storage - was appropriate development in the green belt.

"The small extension to the building is on the footprint of a previous building that was removed due to issues with its structural integrity and will be no greater in footprint, height or volume to the building that previously existed on the site," the council's report said. 

"Notwithstanding this, the scale of the extension is such that it is not considered to represent a disproportionate addition to the main buildings and is therefore considered to be appropriate development within the green belt. 

"The proposed demolition of the existing former farm building and the erection of a replacement building for the provision of bedroom accommodation is considered to be appropriate development within the green belt as it results in a building that has a smaller footprint than the building it replaces."

See the approved plans here.