The owners of Clear View Suites have ambitious plans to knock down the property and build a 60-room hotel and cottage complex.

Gerald and Ruth Paynter have applied for planning permission in principle to demolish the guest house in Sandy Lane, Hamilton.

In its place, they want to build a new 60 room hotel, 22 two-bedroom cottages, a conference centre and health club. The application is also to renovate the existing restaurant and tennis courts. Owner Ruth Paynter, who also owns Landfall Restaurant, refused to comment, saying the plans were at a preliminary stage.