A LUXURY hotel is seeking permission to expand its wedding offerings.

Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, is seeking permission from Darlington Borough Council to provide woodland weddings for the first time, allowing the happy couple to tie the knot in wooden cabins.

The venue's current three-year licence as an approved venue for weddings is due to expire later this month, but the council's general licensing committee is expected to grant a three-year extension today.

The hotel has several areas where civil ceremonies can take place, including The Orangery, The Morning Room or the Rockliffe Suite.

However as part of the renewal process, Rockliffe Hall wants to add two additional areas as a place where a wedding can take place, namely The Glasshouse and the Rosebud Curious Cabin.

Council documents which will be discussed before the committee today state: “The Glasshouse is a large orangery or summerhouse located within the grounds of the hotel. It has air conditioning, electricity for lighting and music etc, and access is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

“The Glasshouse is not located close to other residential buildings.

“The Rosebud Curious Cabin is one of five wooden cabins which are located within the grounds of the hotel and again are not closely located to any residential buildings.

“If approved, the cabin would be the designated place of the marriage and it is envisaged that registrar would stand immediately in front of the entrance doorway to perform the wedding, the guests would be outside of the cabin in a woodland setting and the couple and witnesses would sign the marriage register within the cabin at the end of the ceremony.”

"In regard to both the Glasshouse and the Curious Rosebud Cabin, the hotel envisage that neither will be significantly popular choices as a place for the marriage ceremony to take place in comparison with the Orangery, Morning Room and Rockliffe Suite but wish to offer them as an alternative.

“The officers are satisfied that it would be appropriate for the renewal of Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Hurworth, Darlington as a suitable venue for civil marriages and civil partnerships under the above legislation.

“The licence will last for a period of three years from the date of issue.”

A decision will be made by the committee today.

Earlier this year, the hotel announced it will be holding its first ever festival of food in February next year, welcoming some of the country's top professional chefs.