AN AYRSHIRE hospitality group has launched exciting plans to extend one of its venues.

The SimpsInns group, which also operates venues in Irvine and Loans, has placed planning proposals to North Ayrshire Council to extend and alter its Waterside Inn venue in West Kilbride.

The plans include creating a new spa and gym facility at the venue which operates as a wedding venue, restaurant, bar and hotel at present. They have been submitted by Norrie Toch Studios Limited on behalf of SimpsInns owners, Malcolm and Karen Simpson.

Located just off of the A78 connected Ardrossan to the village, the main alterations would be made to the Si Shack located on the site.

The building was previously used as a takeaway from the Waterside however has been used mainly for storage since the venture was halted.

Planning documents state that the existing Si Shack would be reconfigured to include a "lounge, four changing rooms and plant".

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The former Si Shack.The former Si Shack. (Image: Street View)

This part of the hotel would also be extended to include four spa treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, a rasul room - which is a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual with health benefits using mud, steam and heat to cleanse and relax the skin, body and mind - and also a laundry room.

The four spa treatment rooms will be accessed from the new corridor linking the Si Shack and the restaurant terrace. They will be designed to take advatnage of the hotel's envious position and will look out towards the Firth of Clyde to the west.

Documents continue: "Part of the existing gardens will be dedicated to the treatment rooms and the spa terrace.

"Adequate planting will create a visual barrier towards the remaining Waterside gardens."

Planning documents also show that there will be a hot tub placed on this new "spa terrace".

It is not made clear whether this spa will only be for hotel guests or publicly available.

Alterations are also planned for the main hotel building itself - in particular the former roof pavillion and one of two patios on the first floor.

One of the patios will be retained as a roof garden which will be used by a new make up room which is to be created on this floor of the hotel. 

Also to be added to this area is a new gym which residents at the hotel will be offered exclusive access to. Both these new rooms will be accessed via the existing hotel corridor. Roof lights will provide the necessary daylight in both these new areas.

These proposals were submitted to North Ayrshire Council on Thursday, September 21 and are currently pending consideration.

The plans can be viewed in full detail via the council's online planning portal, searching for reference 23/00711/PP.