A planning application which will allow work to progress on the delayed restoration project at a Royston hotel has been given the green light.

Plans to introduce three garden rooms to The Banyers Hotel in Melbourn Street were initially rejected but were overturned on Thursday evening by the planning committee at North Herts District Council.

Mayor of the town Ben Lewis advocated the application after calling it in, and was pleased the committee voted unanimously in favour.

He said: “Royston needs a modern hotel to support our businesses.

“I think the garden houses would provide a nice street setting. I think sometimes we look too much at the past at the expense of providing for the future.

“I fully support the owners Beechdale Homes, they are not bulldozing or replacing anything, they want to restore and improve the existing hotel. Managing director Martin Jackson wants to make it a success.

“The project has been held up enough as it is. It should all start to get cracking soon.”

The garden rooms will increase room numbers by almost 30 per cent.

A further application to introduce panelled doors between the orangery extension and function room is currently under consultation, and a decision date has not yet been set.

It could be approved or rejected anytime between now and July 15 – when the application expires.