AN ICONIC hotel in the heart of Deganwy has been sold to a housing development firm.

Owners of the Deganwy Castle Hotel, Enterprise Inns, have sold the Grade II listed property on Station Road, offered at a guide price of £1 million.

According to Savills, who handled the sale, the property was sold to Charter Homes, who are currently developing apartments in West Shore in Llandudno.

Alistair Greenhalgh, associate director at Savills, said: “Sold with vacant possession, Deganwy Castle, which has generally been the hub of community events since its establishment, offers good redevelopment and restoration potential making it an appealing investment opportunity.”

The 31 bedroom hotel dates back to the 17th century, and was described as a “massive loss” for the community by councillors when it closed in January 2010.

Following the closure of the site, a Facebook group titled Petition to re-open the Deganwy Castle Hotel attracted more than 300 fans in its first few weeks.
Now at 733 members, group founder, Peter Gardener, said he had mixed emotions about the purchase by a housing firm.

He said: “It would have been a shame to be left derelict. What I would hope to see is some sort of pub or some kind of social element to stay in the area.”

Deganwy councillor Jason Weyman confirmed he was “cautiously positive” about the sale.

He said: “We all accept that something needs to happen with the Deganwy Castle Hotel rather than it being left to rack and ruin, and the fact that someone has taken it over so quickly is promising.
“It is purely hearsay at the moment, but rumours in the village suggest there may be some residential elements on the edges, but with a similar hotel - and hopefully a public bar and function room - in the middle. With something like that, residents would be very appreciative and it would be great for Deganwy.”

Despite speculation in the village over the hotel becoming a refuge for homeless people, Cllr Weyman assured the Pioneer he had received confirmation from the Housing Strategy Officer this was definitely not the case.

He also confirmed that should any controversial decisions regarding demolition to the protected building be raised at a planning stage, they would not be tolerated by villagers.

He added: “The residents of Deganwy are very passionate about the Deganwy Castle Hotel. Anything that comes along and to ruin it or take part of it away will not be welcomed and will certainly incite some sort of campaign. But most of the structure is Grade II listed which should protect it - it’s the oldest building in Deganwy.”

Are you pleased with the purchase of the Deganwy Castle Hotel? Are you concerned about it becoming a housing development? Have your say by commenting below.