OWNERS of a vacant hotel that has been shut for more than three years want to transform it into a mixed-use development, including 18 residential flats.

Llandrindod Wells' once prominent and popular Glen Usk Hotel closed in early 2020, having been put on the market for £1.25 million in 2019. While two informal offers materialised over a 9-month period, both fell through for various reasons.

The South Crescent hotel is owned by the UK Holiday Group, which runs a coach tours business.

A pre-planning application has been submitted on behalf of the owners by Cardiff-based developers Geraint John Planning Ltd, with details shared by Llandrindod South county councillor Pete Roberts on his social media page on Tuesday.

“Josie (Ewing, fellow Llandrindod South ward councillor) and I have just received the notification of the pre-planning consultation of the redevelopment of the Glen Usk Hotel site into a mixed-use location,” Councillor Roberts posted on Facebook.

“This is a prime site within the conservation area so the fact that its owner is looking to redevelop it rather than allow it to deteriorate is to be welcomed at least in principle.

“I would encourage residents to have a look at the proposals as they stand at the moment and make submissions that express any concerns you have and suggestions as to how they can be mitigated to ensure that any proposal that comes forward/is approved is one that is most in keeping with the desires of the local community.

“In principle this is a very significant contribution to the housing shortage in town and one which hopefully will be deliverable in a relatively short timeframe.”

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A pre-planning statement has put forward a proposed change of use from vacant hotel to mixed-use development comprising 18 self-contained flats and miscellaneous commercial use, including external rear alterations and associated works.

The proposal seeks planning permission for the change of use of the vacant hotel to a dual use mix that comprises residential flats on floors 1-3 and miscellaneous commercial use on the basement, lower ground and ground floors.

Initial pre-application discussions were undertaken with Powys County Council in November 2021, with the local authority’s feedback confirming that the change of use was considered acceptable, subject to appropriate evidence of the existing hotel no longer being viable.

The Glen Usk is around 125-years-old, having said to have been built in 1897, at the height of Llandrindod’s fame when it became a spa town and attracted hoards of tourists.

A red-brick construction beneath slate covered roofs with accommodation arranged on basement, ground, three upper floors plus attics, a lift connects all floors of the hotel.

It is a landmark Victorian building with 79 letting bedrooms and a large capacity ballroom on the lower ground floor. There is a bar sitting around 60 with approximately 80 seats in the restaurant, plus a TV lounge seating 10.

County Times:

At lower ground floor level is the ballroom with its own bar servery, while there is also an eye-catching double fronted terrace overlooking the public green.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about the proposed development must write to the applicant/agent by April 25. You can do so by emailing consultations@gjplanning.co.uk or write to them at Geraint John Planning Ltd, Office 16 (House 1, 2nd Floor), The Maltings, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF24 5EA.

Alternatively, visit the https://geraintjohnplanning.co.uk/current-consultations/glen-usk-hotel link and submit your comments.