Drayton Manor Park has finally had the “full green light” for a £14 million hotel project that has been in the pipeline for more than a decade.

Bosses at the Staffordshire fun park have long been planning the 150-bed Drayton Hotel in a bid to attract families from all over the country for overnight stays at the complex.

Lengthy planning delays mean the project has been dragging on since 1997. The scheme was finally given the nod by planning bosses at Lichfield District Council back in April, and management at the family-run park has now been informed that the Government has decided not to call in the project for a public inquiry. Managing director Colin Bryan, whose parents George and Vera founded the theme park, said the news was effectively a “full green light” for the new hotel.

He said finances were being finalised ahead of a projected start date of early spring next year. Drayton Manor is hoping the hotel will be completed by May or June 2011.

The four-storey Drayton Hotel will boast facilities including a main restaurant, a brasserie restaurant, a coffee shop, a creche and a banqueting suite. Despite attracting around 10,000 visitors a day during the season, there is currently no on-site accommodation provided at the park near Fazeley, Tamworth, in contrast to its north Staffordshire competitor Alton Towers, which boasts two themed hotels.

Mr Bryan said this latest venture should create more than 50 new jobs.

He said: “It will set a new standard in theme park accommodation and will enable visitors to make the most out of their time at the park.

“By including banqueting and conferencing facilities in the building, I hope it will also encourage business visitors to the area.”