A FORMER 'celebrity hideaway' near Kington is to be given a new lease of life after plans were approved for its re-development into holiday homes.

Mark Bentham and Laura Lane bought Penrhos Court in Lyonshall in January and have now been given the go-ahead to change the use of the property.

There will be eight holiday lets, an online business, a café and shop together with associated works/facilities and the change of use of the Court to a single dwelling for the applicants.

The property is well-known within the county and members of Herefordshire Council's planning committee said they were pleased to see a listed building being brought back into use.

Penrhos Court was bought by businessman Martin Griffiths and his partner Daphne Lambert in 1972 and they restored it and made it into a 15-bedroom hotel, which became known for drawing celebrities who appeared at Hay festival.

In its heyday it became known as the “Le Manoir au Quat’ Saisons” of The Marches because of its pioneering restaurant and cookery school.

The rear wing of the court will become a swimming pool, sauna and laundry room under the plans.