The Rosswyn Hotel has been part of the townscape of Ross-on-Wye for many years. But ever since the previous owners vacated the premises it has become derelict, and an eyesore, on a prominent corner in the town centre.

When the Drummond family acquired the site, including the hotel, two years ago, they thought that they would have converted it into new homes and new shops by now.

Guy and Ben Drummond, who are overseeing the project, told the Ross Gazette that the long, frustrating process of gaining planning permission for the hotel, which is a listed building, has meant that they have only recently been able to sign off all the conditions with Herefordshire Council. They have had to supply huge amounts of detail, such as colours and type of paint, as well as their plans for each window.

Mr Drummond said it is frustrating that it has taken so long but it needs to be correct and a lot of people have helped them get to this stage including the architects.

Residents will be aware of the scaffolding on the exterior of the building and Mr Drummond said that they are committed to getting the frontage sorted as soon as possible.

He said that with a new roof, refurbished windows and repainted exterior it will look like a new building. He added:?“I hope that within six-eight weeks residents will approve of the way it looks, although the interior will still be a work in progress.”

He continued that he views it as a 12 month project to transform the former hotel into eight, one bedroomed flats with a retail unit underneath, then they will turn their attention to the building next door, 18/19 High Street, which will become two flats and one retail unit. In the grounds there is an existing cottage which needs refurbishing and seven, two bedroom houses will be created, all with parking. This, Mr Drummond said, is so important in Ross town centre where parking is at a premium.

He added that as a local farming family they have been very aware of local feelings about the hotel’s past as a popular meeting place, and also how people have felt seeing it as such an eyesore.

The building dates back to the fifteenth century and did not become a hotel until the 1940s. One of its previous uses was as the home and surgery for a local doctor, and it was known as Chepstow House at that time.

The hotel retained an old world atmosphere and, unusually for a town centre inn, it had a large garden that was popular with visitors and locals during the summer months.

Mr Drummond told the Gazette:?“We want to make this something we can be proud to say we own, and hopefully it will help address some of the town’s housing issues.

“It has been empty for 15 years and although it may take longer to complete than we first thought it would when we bought it, we are now on track and hope that residents will be pleased by the changes they see.”