A CAFE and visitor centre in Broadway Tower Country Park could be extended if new plans get the go-ahead.

The Tower Barn Cafe wants to build an orangery to provide more dining space for visitors.

Sitting just a few hundred yards from the iconic tower itself, the cafe was renovated in 2017 and also acts as a visitor centre.

According to planning documents: “The proposed extension will be subordinate to Tower Barn.

CAFE: Tower Barn Cafe has plans to expandCAFE: Tower Barn Cafe has plans to expand (Image: David Salisbury)

“Given that the building has already been converted to a café and visitor centre, the design of the proposed extension is very much in line with what would be expected of such a building in the early-mid 21st century.

“No heritage issues arise from the extension itself.”

The plans say the extension would result in a small change in views to and from the tower, but would bring “material public benefits as a result of better facilities for visitors, widening the audience for the appreciation of this highly important heritage asset.”

Broadway Tower, built in 1798, was the brainchild of renowned landscape designer Capability Brown and was designed by architect James Wyatt.

As well as offering views across Worcestershire and beyond, the 17-metre high tower houses three floors of exhibitions about the history of its occupants.

A heritage statement included in the planning application submitted to Wychavon District Council says: “Constructed on high ground, it was intended to be seen as a feature on the skyline over broad swathes of countryside, and it was also intended to be a viewing platform from which to enjoy views over that countryside.

“The visual envelope when looking outward from the tower can only be described as immense.”

If the plans are approved, the existing canopy would be replaced with the extension, with a new outside seating area at the front of the building.