BUILDING group George Wimpey has applied for planning permission from Newport council to errect 16 detached dwellings on the site of the Jarvis Hotel at Wentloog.

In the application, dated October 2, the site is referred to by its former name of the Wentloog Castle Hall Hotel. Jarvis Hotels, which still owns the site, has confirmed that if the deal was to go ahead, the hotel would be demolished.

Last month Business Argus reported how talks to sell the hotel had collapsed.

Jarvis Hotels chief executive Richard Thomason said: "When you have an estate the size of ours you are often in negotiations to buy or sell properties.

"On this occasion, the recent talks we were having have collapsed. This does not mean we would not look at other opportunities."