HOTELIERS bidding to extend a Teignbridge hotel have revised plans to avoid having to dig out more than five metres of the ground.

Planners have already approved a previous application for a 66 bedroom extension to the Gissons hotel and restaurant at Kennford.

But since permission was granted, the developers have been forced to amend the design.

Architects for the scheme say the original design was set too far deep into the ground.

Carrying on with the approved project would involve ‘massive excavation’ of at least the height of a complete storey.

A statement with the new, revised application explained: ‘As the natural gradient of the ground rises, more than five metres would have to be removed to get the building in as approved.

‘This is clearly inappropriate in terms of cost, safety of construction and practicality.

‘It would also result in rooms being subterranean, cause drainage problems and have an environmental impact as excavated soil would have to be spread over the site.

‘The design approach now is to bring the building up, stepping in line with the road gradient.

‘Building still follows the conventions of the previous design.

‘One of the constraints was the need to ensure the new roof line was level with the ridge of the existing hotel.

‘While this is still the case, the pitched roof on one block has had to be lost to compensate for bringing the building up out of the ground.’

Because of the revisions needed to avoid excavating so much ground, a new planning application has been submitted.

The existing hotel is also undergoing refurbishment.

A decision is expected in October.