Plans to construct a detached laundry room at a fire-ravaged spa outside of Ipswich have been given the go-ahead by the district council.

A planning application for the room was submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council in relation to Riverhills Health Club and Spa, based at Clarice House in Bramford Road in Bramford, last December.

The venue suffered major fire damage last June after a blaze broke out in its pool area overnight.

The fire claimed about a quarter of the spa's building and it was not able to reopen until nine weeks later.

In November, Riverhills appointed Colchester-based Cadman Construction to undertake the work of rebuilding the swimming pool and spa area.  

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service commented on the planning application but raised no objection to the scheme.

In its decision notice, Mid Suffolk's planners gave the proposals the green light – paving the way for the laundry room to be constructed and the ongoing revamp of the spa to continue.

The permission was granted with the condition that work begins within three years.