NATCHEZ — Dunleith Plantation might soon have guest cottages to keep it company.

The Natchez Metropolitan Planning Commission approved site plans to construct one single-family house and 11 family cottages at Thursday’s meeting.

A second phase, which will be brought before the commission at a later date, will include building a spa and a catering facility.

The board unanimously approved the site plans.

Board members were generally enthusiastic about the prospect of cottages join the new rooms being constructed around Natchez.

“I’m excited,” Chairwoman Deborah Martin said. “It’ll be great to attract conventions.”

The cottages, which will be duplexes, will be located on eight acres behind the mansion, Dunleith Manager John Holyoak said.

“It’s very private, very wooded and very beautiful and secluded from the main property,” Holyoak said.

Construction time depends on the bid process and hiring contractors, he said.

“We’ve already got approval from the preservation commission,” he said. “We worked closely with them so that these buildings are appropriate for the property. It will all be a nice blend.”

In other business, the board approved the subdivision of Wal-Mart property, dividing the Murphy USA Oil gas station from the rest of the property.

The idea is for Wal-Mart,to sell the gas station land to Murphy USA, a representative said.

The board still has not received an updated version of the city’s new zoning code, board member Karen Stubbs said.

The city first presented the proposed new code to the community in June 2006. The code adds new zoning divisions and combines several related city codes into one.

“(On the most recent version), I saw some of the changes we recommended had not been made, including the building height limits along the bluff,” Stubbs said.

City Planner Dennis Story said he would arrange for the board to meet with planning consultant Corinne Fox, who has spearheaded the proposed code, at the next meeting.