A new £4m leisure complex and 72-bed hotel block on the outskirts of Norwich should be given the go-ahead next week, according to council officers.

Norwich Evening News: The Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club is seeking to build the facilities on its site in Taverham, off Beech Avenue. Photo: The Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country ClubThe Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club is seeking to build the facilities on its site in Taverham, off Beech Avenue. Photo: The Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club (Image: Archant)

The Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club has asked Broadland District Council for permission to build the facilities on its site in Taverham, off Beech Avenue.

The existing swimming pool and leisure facilities on the east side of the hotel would be demolished along with other bays next to the conference suite.

But a new three-storey accommodation 72-bed hotel would be built, along with a stand alone leisure centre, including a new swimming pool, beauty treatment rooms, a cafe, a gym and fitness studios. There would also be a pro-golf shop.

Officers at Broadland District Council are recommending that members of the authority's planning committee approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday next week.

The council's business development manager said: 'The application represents an extensive proposal for improvement, extension, refurbishment and new development at this established leisure facility on the edge of Taverham.

'The proposals represent a significant upgrade to the current facilities as well as a significant extension to the levels of accommodation provided on site.

'This will provide a potentially significant boost to the local economy over and above the proposed extra 25 extra full-time/part-time jobs being created and the proximity to the western end of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road will facilitate improved access to and from the site.

'Furthermore, the provision of a new access directly off Fakenham Road may help to reduce levels of traffic to and from the site via Beech Avenue.'

But, if permission is granted, a condition is recommended that archaeological work be carried out, including trial trenches and potentially a full archaeological excavation.

Norfolk County Council's historic environment service said: 'There is a high potential that heritage assets with archaeological interest (buried archaeological remains relating to settlement and other activity of prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon date) will be present at the site.'