UP TO 70 jobs could be created if ambitious plans for a hotel extension are given the go ahead.

The owners of Stanley House, Mellor, have lodged plans with Ribble Valley Council which they hope will result in the construction of one of the UK’s leading health spas.

General manager of Stanley House, Oliver Cooke, said the intention was to add an extra 38 bedrooms, create an additional 90-seat restaurant and develop an on-site health spa.

Mr Cooke said: “It represents a substantial investment with the intention of creating a five star hotel of international repute.

“The whole idea is to turn it in to a destination hotel and the type of spa will be one of only four or five of its type in the UK. There won’t be anything like it within a 100 mile radius.”

The proposals will have to go before Ribble Valley Council’s planning committee, but the hope is to start construction on the development in early 2010.

The hotel currently employs around 40 full-time staff and Mr Clarke said the initial proposals would result in an extra 70 staff employed on this basis.

Mr Cooke said: “The development will be on three levels. The number of bedrooms will increase and in order to achieve this we will expand the restaurant space and bring a less formal eatery.

“The third development, the spa, is extremely significant international type of spa.”

Stanley House opened in late 2004 and the multi-million pound project was funded by businessman Fred Walker.

In April last year it was named Small Hotel of the Year at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007, organised by VisitBritain.

The Grade II listed hotel features 12 bedrooms with en-suite facilities, function suites and acclaimed restaurant Cassis.