The Oakley Court Hotel has seen its plans for a new outdoor swimming pool and padel courts rejected by the council.
The four-star hotel, in Windsor Road, has been looking to expand its outdoor facilities to compete with rival high-end hotels in the region.
It submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough in November for an outdoor pool to be built within the venue’s walled garden.
The plans also sought to significantly expand its racquet sport facilities by building two new tennis courts, four padel courts and four pickleball courts.
The hotel submitted a letter to the borough stating that it needs to ‘innovate’ in order to remain a long-term viable business.
The company said: “With changing trends in travel and leisure, guests increasingly expect high-quality recreational facilities as part of their hotel experience.
“By providing an outdoor pool and tennis, paddle and pickleball courts, we aim to deliver a unique experience which isn’t currently offered. This is what is required for long-term sustainability.
“There are a number of hotel competitors that provide the facilities which we can’t replicate such as horse riding, water activities or vineyards. Therefore, we must innovate and choose a competitive advantage with conviction, that is racquet sports.”
The company pointed to venues such as The Fairmont – Windsor Great Park and Coworth Park in Ascot as hotels which offer similar facilities in the area.
But its plea to Windsor and Maidenhead council failed as the local authority’s planning department rejected the proposals due to its impact on the greenbelt.
The council said no ‘very special circumstances’ had been identified to justify building the sports facilities in the hotel’s historic grounds.
An assessment of the proposals by planning officers stated: “The proposed outdoor sports facilities are not insignificant in scale and appearance and it is unclear whether what is being proposed is genuinely required.”
The assessment added that the benefits of the upgraded facilities would be for the hotel rather than the wider Royal Borough community.
Visit www.rbwm.gov.uk and search 24/02735/FULL in the council’s planning portal to view the plans.
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