PLANS to renovate and re-open the Grade II listed Chateau Impney building as a hotel and restaurant- as well as build 127 new homes on the estate- have been approved.
Wychavon District Council agreed to greenlight the major redevelopment at the Chateau Impney estate at a meeting of its planning committee last week.
The 127 homes that will be built, known as Little Impney, will be comprised of 10 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom, 50 three-bedroom, 33 four-bedroom and 5 five-bedroom homes.
The proposal asked for the removal of all but essential modern extensions to the Grade II listed Impney Hall to enable the property to run as a hotel and restaurant.
It will also see the removal of unnecessary roads, parking areas and other urban features to enable focused reinstatement of parkland.
Coun George Duffy, speaking as a member of Droitwich Town Council, said: “It’s great to be able to support the Impney Estate again.
“We are keen to see this development under way for the improvements and access it brings to the Impney sites, as well as the quality and conveniently located housing.
“These plans are an exciting opportunity to make a unique part of our history more publicly available than I have ever known it.”
Rod Spollon, managing director of Greyfort Group, who owns the estate, said: “This is a transformational regeneration project.
“The net effect of our proposals brings undoubted and substantial public benefits.
“The new homes within Little Impney will sit alongside the existing businesses and residents within the Impney Estate.
“The works to Impney Hall and its setting will take it a step closer to John Corbett’s original creation.”
Coun Rick Deller, who supported the motion, said: “This is much more than just houses; this is protecting heritage, defending beauty and choosing greatness- this is stewardship done properly.
“We are custodians of something that does not belong to us; we do not own the estate, we inherited it, and we either elevate it or we fail.
“The true splendour of the Impney Estate will not be found in memory alone; it will be found in restoration.”
After proposals for a revitalisation of the estate were recommended for approval in 2022, an urban design review was ordered before the application could be given the go-ahead.
Amendments to the estate owner’s proposals were made, and a new adjusted planning application was submitted last September.
