MULTI-million-pound plans to revamp visitor facilities at Blenheim Palace could be given the go-ahead today.

It is the largest building project at the Woodstock stately home for more than 200 years and will see brand new retail, catering and toilet facilities.

West Oxfordshire District Council members will meet today to decide on the plans and, if accepted, work will start in January and take some six months.

A council planning officer has recommended councillors approve the plan, but a conservation group said it would damage the character of the building.

The plans have received the backing of English Heritage, which said there is a “clearly demonstrated” need for better visitor facilities and more catering.

The organisation said: “The assessment of significance of the fabric and spaces affected is comprehensive and thorough and we agree with the conclusions.

“We are satisfied that there is no significant harm to the listed buildings, the registered landscape nor to the world heritage site as a whole.”

The Grade I-listed palace, built between 1705 and 1722, was recognised as a world heritage site in 1987 for its architectural importance.

The new facilities would be created by roofing over a former drying yard in the east courtyard and reopening two rooms. The current visitor centre will remain open during the work.

The project is being undertaken to cut queues at the palace’s restaurant, generate revenue and enhance “inadequate” facilities. It will create 17 new jobs.

Property director Roger File said: “We receive about 550,000 visitors a year and we want to ensure we can provide the level of catering and retail experience we should be providing. We have inadequate facilities at the moment.”

But the Georgian Society, which campaigns against the ‘neglect, maltreatment and destruction of Georgian buildings’, objects.

It said: “The group considers the current proposals would be damaging to the character and historical significance of the listed building.”

It said not enough information had been given to enable the council to determine the historical significance of the drying yard and other affected buildings.

But the planning officer’s report said: “The proposed development involves very little loss of historic fabric, whilst providing enhanced and much needed additional visitor facilities.”

West Oxfordshire District Council’s uplands area planning subcommittee meets at 2pm in the council’s Wood Green offices to discuss the plans.