AN AYRSHIRE hospitality group has had plans to expand one of its most popular venues approved.

Back in September, SimpsInns -  which also operates venues in Irvine and Loans - placed planning proposals to North Ayrshire Council to extend and alter its Waterside Inn hotel and restaurant in West Kilbride.

The plans included the creation of a new spa and gym facility at the venue, which is considered by many to be one of Ayrshire's premier wedding venues.

This week, North Ayrshire Council planners approved the application -  submitted by Norrie Toch Studios Limited on behalf of SimpsInns owners, Malcolm and Karen Simpson - with no attached conditions.

It means that the business now has the go-ahead to begin the development at the venue, located just off the A78 between Ardrossan and West Kilbride.

The main alterations will be made to the former 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 explain how the building will be reconfigured to include a "lounge, four changing rooms and plant".

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

This part of the hotel will 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 advantage of the hotel's envious position and will look out towards the Firth of Clyde to the west.

Documents explain: "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".

At this stage, it has not been made clear whether this spa will only be for hotel guests or publicly available.

Alterations will also be seen at the main hotel building itself - in particular the former roof pavilion 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.

At present, SimpsInns has not outlined when these renovation works will commence or be completed.

People can view the plans in full detail this can be done via the council's online planning portal, searching for reference 23/00711/PP.