Plymouth hotel plan at Royal William Yard

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans, right, with Will Ashworth, said the hotel "fits" with the city's plans for growth

Part of a former Royal Navy supplies yard in Plymouth is set to become a 60-bed hotel.

Developer Urban Splash and the Watergate Bay Hotel in north Cornwall have agreed a lease on the clock tower building at the Royal William Yard.

They hope work on the "urban boutique hotel" in the Melville building will start next spring.

The Grade 1 victualling yard was closed in 1992 and parts have already been converted into flats and restaurants.

Will Ashworth, Watergate Bay Hotel's managing director, said: "When we first arrived at Royal William Yard and saw the potential of the Melville building, I immediately knew we could create something really exciting."

Nathan Cornish from Urban Splash said: "It has long been our intention to bring a quality hotel operator to the Yard and this announcement is a big step in making this a reality."

The next step is to get planning permission.

Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "This fits in with our plans for growth, particularly in the tourism and visitor sector."