Those at the Holiday Inn Express in Hellesdon have to convince planners their design to add a third storey will not affect neighbouring Norwich Sports Village.

Norwich Sports Village (Image: James O Davies)

The concrete dome building, now home to David Lloyd Health Club, was designed by Swiss engineer Heinz Isler, and constructed between 1987 and 1991.

It was granted the status in January by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport over its exceptional "inverted membrane" concrete shells.

While the plans to build an additional 32 bedrooms at the Holiday Inn Express, which is wedged between two sets of the shells, are yet to be decided, bosses for the hotel have to ensure their plans will not impact the listed building.

In revised papers Norwich Hospitality Investments Ltd, which put forward the application, wrote: "There is to be no physical impact on the adjacent listed structures as a result of the proposed development.

"The proposal involves no alteration, removal or attachment to any of the concrete shells.

"The works would also not involve any interior alterations to the listed structures nor any excavation or structural works that would compromise their integrity."

The plans to extend the hotel by adding a third floor first emerged in March last year.

An artist's impression of the design from the southern car park approach (Image: LSI Architect)

If approved, the number of rooms would increase from 78 to 110 and the overall size of the building would grow from 32,442 square feet to 43,529 square feet.

The three-star hotel is also located on the same site as the Asda superstore.

Developers also plan to upgrade the hotel’s emergency fire escape stairs and make better use of an unused courtyard by converting it into a new single-storey breakfast room.

Broadland District Council will be deciding over the plans in due course.

© Eastern Daily Press