FIFTY new jobs could be created at the Abbey House Hotel if £2.5million plans are agreed by Barrow council planners today.

Hotel bosses want to make the historic four star property on Abbey Road a world class venue for weddings - but planners need to say “I do”.

Tim Kilroe, director and majority shareholder, has submitted a planning application for the Grade II listed building, along with Listed Building Consent.

Town Hall bosses describes the plans as “well designed” and having “no impact” on the property.

The plans drawn up by Barrow architects Craig and Meyer Architects Ltd are recommended for approval subject to conditions.

Mr Kilroe said: “This application is part of a carefully-planned five to seven-year phased development programme to further enhance the hotel.

“Over the last five years we have spent more than £5million and transformed it into a stunning four star venue.

“Although the costings are only approximate, we would be investing in the region of a further £2.5million with the ultimate aim of attracting more weddings from outside the area, and offering a world class venue on the doorsteps of local residents.

“We are aiming for the new investment to put the hotel into the bracket of one of the top 10 wedding venues in  the North of England.

“We expect that over time the project will generate another 50 jobs or so, once the full investment programme has been rolled out. We also expect it will bring more visitors to Barrow.”

Mr Kilroe has been the majority shareholder since his father passed away in 2004 and it has been in the family for more than 30 years.

Mr Kilroe stressed that the works would be carefully managed and take place out-of-season to minimise disruption to customers and neighbours.

The plans involve the creation of a new single-storey function room in light-weight materials and glass, to form a new extension to the hotel’s Cavendish Suite.

A separate detached timber-framed garage is also needed to host a wedding car.

The plans seek permission to extend the existing car park by 50 spaces to  create an overflow car park for guests and parking for staff.

A separate dedicated parking area with seven spaces would be created to serve the hotel lodge.

Permission is also sought for two “temporary” gazebo marquees to help create two wedding gardens in the hotel grounds.

In papers to go before councillors, planning officer Maureen Smith said: “As businesses look to diversify it is not uncommon to come across tented structures in the grounds of listed country houses.

“It is felt that any perceived harm is offset by the public benefit of providing additional jobs and economic growth for local suppliers to the wedding business.”

Historic England have no objections - subject to an archaeological evaluation of the site. The car park extension would help prevent “verge parking” in the area, according to county council highways officials.

The hotel was designed by acclaimed architect Sir Edwyn Lutyens in 1914 as a country house for Vickers for business purposes. Lutyens also designed The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

In 1951 the property was turned into a care home but it was shut in 1983 after being deemed uneconomical.

In 1986, it was converted into a hotel by Mr Kilroe’s father and is set in 14-acres of private woodland and gardens.

Back in 2000, it was extended to provide a 300-seater conference room with 30 new bedrooms, in addition to the 27 in the main house.

Famous guests have included Scottish singer and actress Barbara Dickson, the late Victoria Wood; Heather Small of M People fame; former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett and fashion designer Wayne Hemingway. Mr Kilroe said: “We are hopeful that the local council will support this application."