A HOTEL and golfing centre for the mega rich is on course to open in Savernake Forest in about two and a half years' time.

In August 2002 the Gazette revealed exclusively that Lord Cardigan was involved in talks with developers over the future of Tottenham House.

On Friday local councillors were invited to Tottenham House to see the plans for the lavish £50 million hotel.

They were given a briefing by Ronnie Nathan of Gold Club Investment Holdings, part of the UK-based consortium planning to convert the early 19th century mansion.

Also in attendance was Mike Frost, senior partner of the Florida-based Buena Vista Hospitality Group that is also part of the consortium.

Following the meeting Lord Cardigan, who runs his family's Savernake Estate, told the Gazette that he had been keen to let the invited councillors see there would be no exterior change to the impressive faade of Grade 1-listen Tottenham House.

He took the group on a conducted tour and later said: "I was really keen to demonstrate to them all that when the work is finished at the house they will not see a single new brick from the public road that passes the house.

"I even took them up onto the large flat roof of the mansion so that they could see that even from up there they will be unable to see any new rooms in years to come. Not one."

Those invited to the meeting included included Kennet District Council's planning chairman John Booth and the Kennet's forward planning team leader Ed White.

Gordon Stone, chairman of Great Bedwyn Parish Council, in whose area the house stands, said he was fully supportive of the plans because the hotel scheme provided a safe future for Tottenham House.

He said: "I have always thought it was a very good project that will secure the future of the house. Without the funding from a scheme like this then nothing will happen. This will give the place a new lease of life."

John Powell, chairman of Burbage Parish Council, whose area abuts Tottenham Park, was equally supportive.

Coun Powell said: "I think it will be a wonderful thing for the area.

"The way this consortium did the presentation they seem to have all the answers and they had clearly put a lot of homework into it.

"They reckon they will employ as many as 200 people so there should be some local jobs."

Lord Cardigan said it was envisaged that final plans would be ready for submission within about four months with permission being given hopefully by the end of the summer.

The project would take about two years to complete and the hotel and golfing centre should be ready to open by the end of 2006.

Lord Cardigan said he anticipated work on converting the existing building and stable block that features on the English Heritage of buildings "at risk" would start within a few months of the planning consent being given.

New bedroom suites will be built in the walled garden behind the house and will not be able to be seen from the Durley road or from the drive up to Tottenham House.

The parkland around the house, where the Savernake Horse Trials were previously held, will become a championship standard golf course designed by leading golfer Nick Price.

The house has been occupied for the last eight years by the Amber Foundation charity that will move its residents to one of its other centres in Trowbridge or Devon.