CONTROVERSIAL plans to use a large country house as a beauty spa have been been given the green light.

David Messenger, of EHG Capital, submitted plans to use Hieland House, in Crow Lane, Tendring, for spa treatments and functions during the day time.

The plans were approved by Tendring Council's planning committee on Tuesday.

The application has been called in by councillor Carlo Guglielmi due to the level of objections from local residents.

Members of the committee voted unanimously to approve the application for the six bedroom property, despite the proposal being opposed by 17 residents and Tendring Parish Council.

Susanne Ennos, TDC’s Planning Team Leader, said: “Functions, which will only be during the day, will be held in an extension catering for a maximum of 48 people with six staff.

“The beauty spa is to be operated in the northern wing of the building with eight customers at a time with four members of staff.”

A previous application to turn the site into a wedding venue was refused in April and EHG Capital has appealed over that decision.

The latest scheme involves the removal of three car parking spaces which were close to a Grade II Listed cottage as well as extra landscaping.

The planning committee felt that the latest application was an improvement on the previous one which included weddings going on late into the evening.

The hours of operation for the site are to be 8am to 7pm on Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Residents and the parish council were concerned about the noise that would be created as a result of the business as well as the extra traffic that would impact on the area.

They wanted to see Hieland House retained as a residential property.

The plans were supported by the council’s regeneration team as they will create up to four new full time jobs.