FORMERLY one of the Island’s top hotels, Priory Bay could be back in businesses following a multi-million pound makeover.

As previously reported, the hotel could be transformed with tree houses, woodland retreats, a restaurant, farm shop and spa.

It is hoped the project could be completed by 2020.

Guests arriving on site will check in to a welcome barn, where their luggage will be collected before they are shown to their accommodation.

The plans, due to be submitted to the council on Friday, include refurbishing the outbuildings to provide 14 hotel suites, a restaurant, bar and spa, in addition to 56 holiday lodges. The existing yurts would be removed and a gym, village barn and farm shop installed.

The swimming pool would be relocated and internal access roads, with parking, created.

Developer David Long, of BCM, said there could be a variety of accommodation to suit different guests and budgets: “It will all be of very good quality, but it is not designed to be exclusive. If you wanted to stay in a hotel suite, that may cost more than a woodland retreat.

“It is not just for tourists. It is here for the Isle of Wight residents.”

Mr Long said the previous cottage accommodation, built in the 1980s, had fallen into disrepair and the previous accommodation across the site was ‘variable.’

Mr Long said: “We are trying to create the best hotel on the Island.

“We want to attract people across that stretch of water and make it a destination for the Isle of Wight.”

The plans could also create 146 jobs for the Isle of Wight, working across the site, from porters to front of house staff and chefs.

Aria Resorts, which also owns Rookley Country Park, St Helens Holiday Park and holiday cottages in Colwell, bought the hotel in December.

The company has come under fire after caravan owners at Rookley and St Helens were given notice to quit the sites, to make way for their regeneration.

Although he could not comment on what had happened elsewhere, Mr Long said: “The company are putting a lot of money into both sites to upgrade them.

“The plans for the hotel are something that will regenerate the site to create a viable use, but it’s also vitally important to the Isle of Wight — this site will put the Island on the map.”