A NEW hotel for Leigh could have a French flavour after the mother and daughter team behind it secured planning permission.

Ann Donnelly and her daughter, Louise Waite-Sterry, who run the Sand Bar restaurant, spoke for the first time in detail about their ambition to create a unique destination for tourists.

They have finally got the go-ahead to turn part of the ground floor, and first and second floors of the Nationwide building, in Broadway, Leigh, into the boutique Sand House Hotel.

The family-run venture will see the mock-Tudor building given a total internal revamp to create nine bedrooms, including two estuary-view premium rooms complete with en-suites and dressing rooms.

Mrs Waite-Sterry said: “I stayed in the most amazing hotel in France, which was absolutely stunning, really bespoke, very accommodating and caring. They really made people feel special and if I can emulate that, I will be happy.”

The hotel will fill a gap in the market after plans to revamp both the Grand and Bell hotels to provide accommodation fell flat.

Ms Donnelly, who lives with her daughter in Marine Parade, Leigh, said: “There’s a big shortage of beds and places to stay here in Leigh.

“I think this will be absolutely stupendous for Leigh.

“We have a lot of foreign tourists, and when we get wedding parties booking the restaurant they often ask if we can recommend somewhere nice to stay. Now we can tell them ‘yes, next door’.

“I think it will be an absolute gem.”

Earlier plans for the hotel were rejected by Southend Council in May, over concerns about the appearance of a proposed roof extension and windows.

Architect and planning agent Steven Kearney has worked closely with planning and conservation officers to ensure the revised hotel plans, which include an entrance in Alexandra Road and an internal first-floor connection to the neighbouring Sand Bar restaurant, fit in with the building’s listed status.

He said: “Our original design was far superior, but the most important thing is to establish the presence of a boutique hotel.

“In a conservation with the planning authority and conservation officer, we agreed amendments to the dormers and some window details, and we have been fortunate to gain approval.”

Work on the conversion is expected to start after Christmas, with the business to open later in the year.