THE ambitious multi-million pound plans to turn the near derelict Midland into a five star hotel are expected to be given the go-ahead on Monday.

Kalber Leisure, the company which has bought the Grade II listed building, has submitted plans which include a luxurious three-storey extension.

Planners believe it is the last chance to save the iconic building which has been closed since November 2000.

Kalber claim the extension is essential to make the hotel a financial viability and it has been warmly welcomed by all interested bodies except the Twentieth Century Society, which is worried it will be a 1930s pastiche.

The new plans includes a large function room for conferences, a swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, a shop and additional bedrooms taking the total up to 50 en-suite rooms.

The £10 million development when finished is expected to create up to 90 jobs and attract considerable publicity and further investment into the resort.

In a report put to councillors, the planners say: "Over the years various alterations have been carried out in an attempt to keep pace with modern expectations and these have not always been carried out in a manner sympathetic to the character of the building.

The sun terrace on the seaward side of the hotel was constructed using less durable materials and is in particularly poor condition.

The applicants proposals involves rebuilding this completely.

The extension is not a perfect match for the original building but it is not intended to be.

It respects the form and character of the original but is detailed differently so that it will be quite clear which part of the hotel is original and which is the 21st century addition.

The restoration of the hotel is to be welcomed."

But Emmanuel Morgan of the 20th Century Society cautioned: "We have strong reservations about the architectural treatment of the extension.

We feel most strongly that the pastiche approach is wrong.

"It lacks the subtlety of the original and appears heavy handed.

We feel that a five star hotel in Morecambe can hope to succeed if this was a sophisticated renovation, not a second rate 1930s pastiche."