Plans are in progress to transform the historic Melville building in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard into a destination boutique hotel, aimed at both leisure and business travellers.

This will be the second site for hoteliers, the Ashworth family, who own the Watergate Bay Hotel in north Cornwall, which aims to offer a ski resort by the sea feel, with its own beach, ‘active relaxation’ spa and varied food offering, including 15 Cornwall.

The second site will be altogether more urban; transforming Melville, which overlooks a marina and courtyard, into a 60-bed hotel, with two restaurants, a cocktail bar, members club, 25m swimming pool and events space. Positioned in a chi-chi part of Plymouth, its neighbour will be Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s Canteen.

Will Ashworth, Watergate Bay Hotel managing director, says his team are planning to create something truly unique for the region: “We have a distinctive approach to hospitality and active relaxation lies at the heart of what we do. Our north Cornwall hotel has its own special sense of style and tone, and our aim is to take this and develop it in a way that is right for Royal William Yard."

Leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans, welcomed the development: “This fits in with our plans for growth, particularly in the tourism and visitor sector, where developments such as these will help the city broaden its accommodation range to include higher-end, quality hotels. This is great news, helping to spread the word about Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, as a fantastic place to be.”

Planning permission is now getting underway and the Watergate team are liaising with architects, Gillespie Yunnie, Plymouth City Council and English Heritage.