AN OXFORD hotel chain has applied for a £2m extension to its site in Sandford-on-Thames.

The plan has been submitted to extend the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel in Henley Road over two blocks, taking the number of rooms from 62 to 100.

The extension to the four-star hotel – converted from a farm 12 years ago – also includes four beauty treatment rooms.

An extra 49 car parking spaces would be provided, taking the total to 156.

Oxford Spires regional general manager Wendy Procter said: “We have tremendous confidence in Oxford and Oxfordshire and it has just seemed a natural progression for us to create more bedrooms.”

‘Strong demand’ from businesses and tourists led to the plan, which has been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council.

She said: “We are very lucky. All of us who have hotels in this area enjoy very high occupancy figures.”

The total development is expected to cost more than £2m, she said.

Ms Procter added: “This area is very popular for spa destinations. It is an area that is proving successful and could be used by hotel guests and local residents.”

The group also runs a three-star hotel in Abingdon and four star hotels in Oxford and Witney, as well as one at the Cotswold Water Park in Gloucestershire.

Latest available figures, for 2009, show the group had a £30m turnover and employed 358 people in the county.

While declining to give latest figures, Ms Procter said: “We are doing very, very well.

“We are well above 2010 figures and we are on target to meet all expectations from our board and banks. In Oxford and Oxfordshire, we are bucking the trend.”

Sandford-on-Thames Parish Council has backed the scheme.

Parish clerk Liz Shatford said: “We do support it. We have been fully involved right from the beginning.”

On Thursday the Oxford Mail reported how 17th century Grade II listed Vanbrugh House in St Michael’s Street, Oxford could be turned in a 22-bedroom hotel.

The timber-framed building, owned by Oxford City Council, has been empty for more than a decade.

Plans have also been submitted for hotel near the Mini car plant at Cowley.

The 32-bedroom hotel would be at Grehan House, a four-storey office building off the Eastern by-pass that was built in the 1990s.

The city council will make a decision on both plans.