The village of Woodhall Spa – one of only 22 spa towns in England – is one step closer to seeing its vision of restoring an original spa from the 19th century.

Following a well collapse in 1983, the baths fell into a state of disrepair and have since been derelict, leaving the mineral-rich waters unused. Local developer GN Construction has conceived a vision to resurrect the baths and create a state-of-the-art spa facility using the local waters, and has received planning permission to move forward with the project.

Wheway Lifestyle International will operate the spa, but the town is currently looking for an investor.

Plans are for the spa to be converted from its current 11,000sq ft to 22,000sq ft, and will encourage visitors to ‘take the waters.’ The redevelopment plan will also see extensive landscaped gardens, refurbishment of the historic Pump Room, and the addition of a spa brasserie, spa pools, treatment rooms, thermal facilities, a fitness studio and relaxation spaces.

“In all the spas Wheway Lifestyle have conceived, we have always looked to create a ‘sense of place,’ to take the positive essence of the spa location and weave it into the design, interiors, treatment offer and nurturing of all the senses,” Tanya Wheway, managing director at Wheway Lifestyle, told Spa Opportunities.

Wheway said the wooden structure of the original spa building will be enhanced and used for inspiration for the spa design.

“The spa’s intriguing history will be integrated, its potential to use its own supply of mineral waters explored, and the delightful Edwardian village of Woodhall in its beautiful rural location provides the perfect setting to create a superb spa experience of imagination, style, gentleness and quality,” she explained. “The Spa’s woodland setting, the neighboring popular Kinema with its exceptional character and the Tea House in the Woods all add to the unique experience of a visit to Woodhall Spa.”

A private spa garden will also add to the experience, and Wheway said she hopes to develop it in “a very imaginative way so as to add to the magic of the spa experience.”

The spa will have a holistic approach, focusing on mind, body and spirit through individual consultations, lectures, classes, fitness facilities, therapies and services.

“We see the Spa at Woodhall working alongside local medical services, industry and the community to make a real difference to the quality as well as the quantity of its spa client’s lives,” said Wheway.