SUPERMARKET bosses have unveiled plans to demolish a country hotel and replace it with a training facility for its staff.

Tesco chiefs want to raze the Ponsbourne Park Hotel and Restaurant, in Newgate Street, and erect a coaching complex in its place.

The 17th century building, which is located on the 203-acre Ponsbourne Park estate, has been owned by the supermarket giant since 1987.

But in 2001, planning permission was granted to use the site as a general hotel and conference centre and, since then, the 50-bedroom facility has been operated as an independent business in its own right.

Under Tesco’s plans, the four existing buildings on site would be flattened and a single training/accommodation building erected in its stead.

An underground car park of 250 spaces or a surface car park of 180 spaces would also be constructed.

When contacted, the hotel declined to comment on the proposal.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of Welwyn Hatfield Council’s development consultation forum yesterday (Thursday) – see next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times for more.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “The plans are very much in the early stages and are by no means fixed.

“We look forward to negotiating with the council on the best way to move the proposals forward.”