A HOTEL, spa and golf club is set to more than double in size after councillors approved expansion plans.

Bicester Hotel, Golf and Spa in Chesterton plans to increase its accommodation from 50 rooms to 112.

Cherwell District Council said it hoped the expansion will encourage visitors.

Cherwell’s lead member for planning Michael Gibbard said: “Bicester is set to expand rapidly over the next 15 years and a key part of that expansion will be encouraging visitors to come to the town to spend their money and boost the local economy.

“A lot of those visitors will be interested in the high-end shopping opportunities at Bicester Village and the accommodation will appeal to those people.

“When considering applications we are bound by the National Planning Policy Framework which encourages authorities to approve applications that support economic growth in rural areas and the provision of tourist and visitor facilities.

“This proposal ticks all of the boxes and will enable an established business to expand on site with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.”

The hotel is to the south west of Bicester. A condition was attached that building must start within three years.