ONE of the county's most iconic landmarks could be about to undergo a major renovation if new plans are approved.

Chateau Impney, which closed down last summer, is the subject of a new planning application which could see a major transformation of the iconic site.

Plans have submitted to Wychavon District Council for a "screening opinion" by The Impney Estate, which owns the site, to establish whether an environmental assessment is needed prior to planning permission.

Under the plans, a number of modern extensions to the site would be demolished and the hotel itself would be refurbished with a view to re-opening in the future.

The planning application proposes: "Demolition of buildings and hard standing, restoration works to the exterior of Impney Hall and its immediate curtilage, retention of existing formal gardens, erection of dwellings houses and employment space and associated hard and soft infrastructure."

The hall restoration works involve removing some of the structures on-site. This is because, according to the application, they are not required for a hotel-based operation.

The plans go on to say: "The restoration of the immediate setting of the Hall includes the removal of roads and car parking infrastructure and replacement with parkland." Impey Hall would continue to be used as a hospitality venue if the plans were approved.

A bat survey has also been carried out on the site, finding that some of the buildings earmarked for demolition contain bat populations.

The application says: "Given the range of buildings and trees around the site, bats are known to be present and emergent surveys are being conducted over the coming months.

"Brown long-eared, whiskered and pipistrelle bats are likely to be present in buildings earmarked for future demolition, as such the proposals will include mitigation measures as part of a landscape and economical management plan and replacement roost locations."

Chateau Impney closed last summer after the Covid pandemic saw hotels closed.

At the time, a statement said: "With huge sadness, these circumstances have led us to take the most difficult decision to permanently close the Chateau Impney Hotel and Exhibition Centre, a decision which has not been taken lightly."

The full plans can be viewed online at https://plan.wychavon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01276/SCR