RESIDENTS have just over a week to have their say about the proposed closure and development of a historic town centre hotel.

Neighbourhood planners in Ross-on-Wye are seeking the views of townspeople on the owners’ proposal – who include TV doctor Mark Porter – to convert it into apartments and build five detached houses in the 11-acre grounds.

The Georgian hotel on Gloucester Road is due to close at the end of September this year.

And many locals, including two former mayors, are concerned about the future of the site and the effect any development could have on the privately-owned green space.

While the Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Development Plan steering group cannot prevent the closure of the hotel, it can influence future development there.

In its consultation of townspeople, it is suggesting that a new section should be included in the plan that supports redevelopment of the site subject to specific criteria.

“The plan could therefore include some explanation about the site and the current situation, some general development principles and some criteria for many aspects of any future development proposals – heights, materials, design, parking, views, wildlife protection, tree protection and replacements and, of course, open space protection,” the consultation reads.

“In addition, a new policy relating to the green and open spaces within Ross, with specific reference to the Chase Hotel site could be added to the plan.

“In our view both of the above are achievable and would provide, for the examiner, the appropriate balance between concerns about a locally if not formally valued open space and a viable development future for the site.

“We consider this approach has the highest chance of success in terms of positively influencing the future of the site.”

Former town mayor Harry Bramer, who stepped down in May, said earlier this year that it was “unthinkable” that such an ‘iconic’ hotel should close, and its listing as a “community asset” should be considered.

And fellow former mayor Joyce Thomas MBE has been raising a petition in a bid to protect the hotel from development, which she has called a “gross over exploitation” of the site.

The Chase, which was built as a private residence for a lawyer 201 years ago on land that was a former Medieval hunting ground used by the Bishop of Hereford, is owned by Camanoe Estates Ltd.

Dr Porter is listed as a director of the family-owned business, which announced last year that it would be closing the hotel off Gloucester Road, with a view to converting it into apartments as it was no longer able to trade profitably.

Mr Bramer said he disagreed with Camanoe’s view that “changing visitor preferences, coupled with high costs of upkeep have made it impossible to trade profitably.”