Moddershall Oaks, a country spa retreat near Stone in Staffordshire, UK has been granted planning permission to expand its facilities.

The expansion is being part funded through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly financed by DEFRA and the European Union. Altogether the expansion is costing £550,000 (US$885,000, €641,000).

The family run spa business, founded by the Holland family in December 2000, has developed from a small day spa to a destination spa employing more then 50 staff.

The aim of the new development is to “enable the business to host double the number of day spa visitors, providing them with a wider choice of thermal, relaxation and dining facilities”.

The project has been conceived by Staffordshire architects Forshaw Greaves & Partners and London-based spa designers, Sparc Studio.

The new facilities include: landscaped outdoor spa garden and courtyard terrace, with a raised vitality spa pool; Finnish kelo sauna cabin; feature showers; an outdoor log fire; spa deli and bar area; and a fireside spa lounge.

In addition to the new spa area, Moddershall Oaks is creating an Express Beauty Suite featuring a treatment bar dedicated to manicures, pedicures, make up classes and product sampling. The room will be available for private use by small spa groups of up to 10 people.

Work on the project will commence at the end of October and is expected to be completed by March 2014.

Penny Holland, director of Moddershall Oaks, said: “This is an exciting move forward for Moddershall Oaks. Our spa is a place for people to relax with friends and family and the new development adds a real wow factor to that experience. We are delighted to have been given the go ahead and are looking forward to seeing our vision come to life.”