A 19th century chapel close to Cheltenham town centre is to be transformed into a boutique 12 bedroom hotel, after plans were given the green light.

The Grade-II listed Chapel Spa, currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is situated on the southern edge of North Place car park.

It stopped being used as a place of worship in the 1980s and lay empty until 1994 when it was first transformed into the Rock Gym, complete with a climbing wall.

In was  converted into its current use as a spa - under its current name - in 2001 and approved plans show that part of the spa will remain post-conversion for use by guests.

Part of the plans include the addition of a completely new floor within the building, which will allow space for 12 en-suite bedrooms to be constructed.

Spa facilities will remain on the lower ground floor with the gym area being transformed into four treatment rooms. The hotel will have no restaurant or bar.

In planning paperwork submitted for the project in February, managing director Mena Louka said: "The existing use of the building as a spa is no longer commercially viable and the proposed use as a hotel is considered the most appropriate function for the building.

"The proposed change of use will ensure the building remains in beneficial use."

Despite some disagreement, Cheltenham Borough Council's planning committee agreed with Ms Louka and approved the application.