VISITORS to Tatton Park will soon benefit from internet access, following planning approval from Cheshire East Council for Wi-Fi.

Tatton Park applied for the Wi-Fi to be installed at various points across the park, for use by members of staff and members of the public.

The plans, which were submitted at the beginning of July, have now been approved by the council, with no objection from the public or any authorities.

The four main sites, where a number of points will be installed, are the Rostherne Gate entrance, the Knutsford Gate entrance, Homefarm and the Stableyard Courtyard.

The planning statement said: “A number of consultation have been undertaken with both the National Trust and the Conservation Officer regarding the proposals.

“The antennas and Wifi Access Points will be installed in the most discreet locations as possible whilst still trying to maintain the correct signal strength.”

Staff at Tatton Park are yet to disclose when the installation will take place, although in the conditions laid out by Cheshire East Council, works must be undertaken within the next three years.

Case officer, Simon Greenland, of Cheshire East Council, wrote in his report that the main concern of installing the Wifi points is that it will ‘adversely affect the character and appearance of the listed building.’

He said: “The proposals are in keeping with the special character and appearance of the listed building and its setting within a parkland. They will bring benefits to public access and interpretation of the listed building.

“Overall the proposal is considered to be acceptable and subject to conditions the proposal is considered to preserve the special architectural and historical integrity of the listed building and its setting.”

Cheshire East Council has already recognised the importance of Tatton Park to the borough’s tourist economy, and won a successful bid in February for £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve Tatton’s Homedale Farm.