Drayton Manor theme park has been given approval to build further accommodation in the visitor attraction's surrounding parkland near Tamworth in Staffordshire.

The 150-bedroom hotel will comprise a 90-cover restaurant and a 60-cover brasserie, as well as a café, a banqueting suite and a creche.

A planning application submitted to Lichfield District Council in 1997 was approved earlier this year, but final authorisation by Government Office West Midlands has only just been granted.

The £14m facility designed by Warwick-based John Pass & Associates and CA design in cooperation with planning consultants Pegasus is likely to kick off in spring 2010, with completion expected by summer 2011.

Colin Bryan, managing director for Drayton Manor Theme Park, said: "We are delighted to finally have the go-ahead for the hotel. The Drayton Manor Hotel will set a new standard in theme park accommodation and will enable visitors to make the most out of their time at the park.

"I expect lots of families will be excited about staying in the hotel and will take advantage of our location to visit other attractions in the area. By including banqueting and conferencing facilities in the building, together with our current large banqueting suites, I hope it will also encourage business visitors to the area.

"This October we will be celebrating our Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of providing family entertainment. Investing in the new hotel is our gift to the park to mark the occasion."