THE future of an historic hotel in the Wye Valley is set to be decided next week.

A proposal to change the use of The Abbey Hotel in Tintern into 11 homes will go before Monmouthshire Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

Its owner has submitted a plan to convert the 25-bedroom hotel, which is currently closed, into 11 homes. The main building would house seven two- and three-bed homes, while the modern extension would be demolished and replaced with a building that would accommodate four homes.

The site, which lies in a conservation area, includes buildings that date from the early 1800s and overlooks Tintern Abbey.

The proposal, by owner Huw Jones, has been met with mixed reaction.

A 314-name petition was handed in to the council, calling for the hotel to be saved on the grounds that it lies within the grounds of the historic abbey site, while 27 letters called for the hotel to be advertised for sale before a change of use is considered.

The council’s tourism officers expressed grave concern that the loss of the hotel would have a detrimental impact on Monmouthshire’s tourist economy, while Tintern Community Council is unhappy with the design and says the hotel provides sorely needed letting bedrooms in the village.

Financial evidence provided by Mr Jones confirmed the hotel has made a loss for the past three years.

The application will go before the planning committee next Tuesday.