New village planned for listed landmark chateau
LONG-AWAITED plans for the next chapter of an iconic Worcestershire landmark have finally been revealed.
The Chateau Impney hotel closed during the pandemic and there were concerns over the future of the 150-year-old building.
But now the stunning manion, near Droitwich, is set to be restored to its former glory and a new village within its grounds planned, with 127 homes for local people.
The Grade II*-listed country estate was built in the style of a French chateaut between 1873 and 1875 and later became a hotel, restaurant and conference centre.
But it shut permanently at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
There were fears over its future, given the constraints any potential developers would face because of its listed status.
Now full details of what is next have been unveiled by its owners, Greyfort Group. It said it will stay as a hotel and restaurant, but will no longer be a conference centre.
The village – called Little Impney – will be built in the grounds and will
include four business premises. New walking and cycling routes will be created around the edge and through the estate.
Greyfort has submitted a planning application to Wychavon District Council which will be considered in the coming months.
The plans include knocking down unwanted buildings, including “unsympathetic extensions to Impney
Hall”. These will be replaced with the new village and landscaping.
Each house will have home-working spaces, parking for two cars and bikes, air source heat pumps and water butts for rain water storage.
Rod Spollon, managing director of Greyfort Group, said the plans ensured the future of the iconic site. “This is the first step to implementing
our long-term estate masterplan, the purpose of which is to realise a sustainable future for the Impney Estate.
“As custodians of the Impney Estate we’re committed to ensuring the preservation and enhancement of one of Worcestershire’s most iconic buildings. It also addresses one of Droitwich’s largest brownfield regeneration opportunities.”