Owners of a popular Faversham restaurant in a Georgian manor are planning to increase the number of hotel rooms available at their historic site.

Read's, in Canterbury Road, has been in operation since the turn of the millennium, and those who run the award-winning venue have long harboured a vision to open more guest rooms.

Numerous planning applications have been successful over the years, yet the permission has always lapsed due to building work not starting.

Now, Read's - which has previously been voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK - has yet again submitted a bid to expand its hotel offering.

The proposals are for 17 new rooms spread across a yard, a converted stable and on former tennis courts.

Eight extra parking spaces are to be created as a result of the development, and one new full-time staff member and a part-time worker will be employed.

The plans were most recently approved in 2018 by Swale Borough Council, but that permission has now lapsed and the owners need to regain the go-ahead.

Read's currently has six "luxury" hotel rooms, with overnight stays ranging from £160 to £280.

The restaurant, which first opened in nearby Painters Forstal in 1976 before moving to Canterbury Road, held a Michelin star for 20 years.

But it lost the esteemed accolade nine years ago. It has, however, continued to pick up numerous awards, including coming 35th on the Squaremeal’s UK Top 100 places to eat.

The site - set in the Grade-II listed Macknade Manor - is run by husband-and-wife team David and Rona Pitchford.

The pair are behind the latest application for additional rooms, and have lodged the plans with the borough council.

In granting permission for the exact scheme three years ago, Swale council looked favourably on the bid to make a "positive contribution to the rural economy".

A report reads: "The application site lies outside the built up area boundary, where development is normally resisted.

"However, the existing restaurant makes a positive contribution to the rural economy and therefore the application will have to demonstrate the same, whilst not impacting on the appearance and character of the countryside.

"The existing uses make little positive contribution to the setting of the building, and the conversion of the outbuildings will ensure the character of the site is not significantly harmed."

Read's has been contact for comment on the latest planning application.