ANOTHER plan to turn Gwrych Castle into a high-class hotel complex is on the drawing board.
The derelict Gothic folly on the outskirts of Abergele could now become a thriving hotel if a multi-million pound renovation goes ahead.
A similar plan mooted 20 years ago by an American businessman came to nothing. Now new backers, Castell Developments, are looking at pumping millions into the site creating an 80 bedroom hotel and spa.
But there are concerns about what will happen to the surrounding estate.
Richard Waters, an Abergele town councillor, said: “If the developers use the old building then we welcome them restoring the old building and nothing else.”
In response to rumours that nearby land could be developed, Cllr Waters said that he and other councillors would be “very upset” if parkland became the site of residential buildings.
He said: “Nothing like that was in the planning application. The parkland is designated by CADW and it needs to be kept that way. There would be no point in having a castle if there were buildings in front.”
Jason Sanderson, chief executive of Castell Developments, said Gwrych offered the opportunity to create a quality resort, and while the company was in talks with the neighbouring Abergele Golf Club, no plans were in place to build near the castle.
He said: “At the moment we are discussing the creation of new access for the castle. The golf club may release land potentially for development.
“This is at a very early stage and nothing is set in stone. We are investing significant amounts in the castle and we won’t do anything that will negatively affect that investment. We want to enhance the area rather than detract from it.”
Mr Sanderson said that the renovation would involve modern equipment but would be sensitive to the structure of the Grade One listed building.
The castle was built in the early 1800s by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh, and passed on to his heirs, the Dundonalds, but left the hands of the family after World War Two.
The site was used for various medieval re-enactments, banquets and attractions before closing to the public in 1985. It was sold from owner to owner and, following vandalism, thefts of the internal fittings and fire, the building, owned by Conwy company, Edwards Property Management UK, became an empty shell.
Mark Baker, founder of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, said: “This will be a great economic boost to the area and may become a major employer for Abergele.
“The trust holds archive materials which will help in the restoration. We will help in whatever way we can.”