Council approve Swinfen Hall Hotel transformation plans

The Lichfield venue has earmarked two barns to be used as a wedding venue with others to be used as an office.

A total of four barns on the site will be transformed, with two being used for offices and the second two as a wedding venue. It is also planned that the existing water tank will be demolished for a new 155 space car park.

No statutory consultees objected to the plans, however; Swinfen and Packington Parish Council raised objections over the use of barns as a wedding venue. Additionally, 13 residents objected to the proposals.

In January councillors deferred the application following extensive discussions. 

Now the application has been amended to include the use of a valet service for weddings and staff using the proposed offices will be notified when an event is due to take place at the wedding venue and will need to use the car park extension.

An agreement on the marquee removal has also been reached, this means that the applicant will withdraw the appeal against the enforcement action the council was taking.

Planning officers in their report to councillors state: “The principle of the development continues to be considered acceptable. Additionally, further measures such as a car park management plan, site management plan, a requirement to remove the marquee, and a legal binding of the land will ensure that the proposed development will minimise any disturbance to local residents.

“The approval of this application will help fund the restoration of Swinfen Hall, provide jobs to residents within the district, and deliver quality small-scale office space to the district.”