Hotel sanctuary for bird watchers

Each room will be equipped with a telescope, binoculars and a bird chart

A hotel specifically catering for bird watchers is to be built in Cornwall.

Work on the £2m, 30-bedroom eco-lodge on the outskirts of Hayle is due to start within weeks after plans were approved by Penwith District Council.

The site, currently occupied by a garage and furniture shop, overlooks the estuary at Hayle which is home to 20,000 waders and seabirds.

Each bedroom will be equipped with its own telescope and binoculars as well as bird identification charts.

Landowner Mike Bows, who already runs two hotels in Cornwall, said he gave the architects a free hand in the design.

The hotel will boast wooden cladding and a gently sloping turf roof to blend in with the landscape.

Each bedroom will have balconies looking out over the estuary which will act as bird hides.

Economic boost

In a bid to help the environment, the hotel will be built using green initiatives, including low-energy climate control and lighting.

The recycling of grey water and the use of sustainable drainage systems will also reduce the lodge's environmental impact on its surroundings.

It is hoped the hotel will boost the region's economy all year round

"Hayle needs a boost at the moment and this will bring jobs and tourism to the area," said Mr Bows.

As much of the south-west of England's tourism is linked with the summer months, it it hoped that the new hotel will go some way into helping the region's economy in the quieter winter months too.

Wildlife in the estuary is especially rich during the colder seasons so the hotel will remain open throughout the year.

Gavin Woodford, from GHK architects who designed the lodge, said: "This development will deliver a landmark building which will greatly add to the tourism marketing potential for the whole region.

"A priority for the Penwith local economy is to enhance the value of the tourism industry through carefully considered development that is sympathetic to the area's outstanding natural environment."