PLANS have been revealed to redevelop a popular hotel associated with children’s author Enid Blyton.

A first stage planning application has been submitted to Purbeck District Council for the redevelopment of Studland’s Knoll House Hotel.

Under the proposals submitted to the council by Kingfisher Resorts, which purchased the hotel last year, owners want to cement the hotel as a five star leisure destination, appealing to national and international customers through a new expansion programme.

The redevelopment of the site will provide guest accommodation in the form of 25 villas to the rear of the hotel building, which will include 30 guest rooms, and three apartment blocks incorporating 38 apartment suites.

The proposal will also accommodate the resort's leisure facilities on the ground floor, which include a café, restaurant, bar, fitness and spa facilities, a function room and associated staff areas.

Acting on behalf of Kingfisher Resorts, planning consultancy Rapleys LLP said: “The redevelopment of the site would also provide an opportunity for the enhancement of the appearance of the site and buildings within the landscape whilst providing enhanced management of its immediate woodland and heathland setting.

“The existing site has a large amount of hardstanding that extends beyond the red line boundary which will also be returned back to its natural condition.

“The proposed redevelopment would deliver a range of social and economic benefits to the locality, enhancing the variety, quality and availability of the amenities on site, which will also be accessible to local residents.

“Kingfisher Resorts is a quality operator which likes to work with the local community to create exciting resort-style hotel facilities that are future proof and add value to the area.”

Enid Blyton would often stay in the hotel for weeks at a time during the summer where she would write stories influenced by her own exploits, which would go on to form the basis for her Famous Five novels.

Other notable guests of the hotel included Sir Winston Churchill, writer Roald Dahl and Hollywood icon Vivien Leigh.

The full proposals for the hotel are expected to be determined by Purbeck District Council in due course.