BUILDING plans aimed at boosting a Kidderminster hotel which has suffered a slump in trade since the late 1990s have been given the thumbs up by councillors.

The application to transfer the Manor Suite from one side of the Stone Manor Hotel to another has received the approval of Wyre Forest District Council's Planning (Development Control) Committee after fulfilling "very special circumstances" in a policy stipulating hotels in green belt areas cannot be extended.

Councillors welcomed proposals to build the function room in the corner of the hotel's walled garden after its agent argued it would not increase capacity but merely return to the higher levels of trade enjoyed in the late 1990s.

Councillor Stephen Williams said: "I can confirm that the Manor Suite is long, long past its sell-by date as a function room and believe every special circumstance has been demonstrated.

"I've seen waiters and waitresses having to trundle over the car park to service the room and that can't be right in this day and age."

He added the changes - which include the creation of a new driveway approach to the building that will cause the loss of 10 trees with tree preservation orders on them but will also see new ones planted - would provide more employment.

Councillor Fran Oborski went on: "It (the Manor Suite) was looking tired and worn out 15 years ago and I think this is a very exciting proposal and should be welcomed."

Councillor Howard Martin added: "We all know we're looking to develop the local economy and a development like this will go a long way towards this."

The number of events, such as weddings and conferences, held in the existing function room dropped from 194 in 1998 to 69 in 2002.