Another attempt to build houses on the site of a historic hotel in Alveston is being made by a developer.

Prestige Retirement Living Ltd are looking to build 22 houses on the site of Alveston House Hotel.

Built in 1797, attempts to get the hotel listed have been unsuccessful and South Gloucestershire Council officers last year ruled prior approval is not required before the building is demolished.

Cllrs Matthew Riddle and Keith Burchell, who represent the Severn Vale ward which includes Alveston, said: “We are disappointed that Alveston House Hotel does not meet the criteria to be listed, due to the various extensions to the building over time, having being in touch with Historic England to make the case for the historic home to be preserved.

“Although the number of dwellings in this application has being reduced, we still believe the key issue is the traffic coming and going from Davids Lane onto the A38, which can often be a tricky junction.”

Despite several previous attempts, no planning application has yet been approved. This new application is for fewer homes than previous in what the developer believes to be a ‘pragmatic compromise’.

Alveston Parish Council rejected the latest application on the basis they consider it ‘inappropriate development regarding density of housing and further extensive infilling destroying the village character’.

Their response stated: “Councillors urge the developer to retain the hotel building to accommodate the affordable housing percentage of the proposal whilst compromising with retaining a building that is so important to the integrity of the village of Alveston.”

Discussing the application during a virtual planning committee meeting last week Cllr Paul Caddick said: “We are gradually seeing the heritage of Alveston taken away. We have lost so much.”

While a few residents have shown support for the application, dozens more have objected.

James Stewart said: “Getting rid of such a historical landmark would be a travesty.”

Defending the application Kit Stokes, from planning agent Stokes Morgan, said: “The Council have already approved the demolition of the hotel and have encouraged a less dense housing scheme as submitted to replace the existing hotel and two bungalows.

"The Council recognises the aim to build housing on previously developed land in villages rather than on greenfield or green belt land provided and has encouraged a revised scheme to be drawn up.

"This application has lowered the scale and density of the development in comparison with the previous retirement scheme and is in keeping with the locality, respects the amenity of neighbours and addresses parking and highway safety issues.

"This amended scheme is pragmatic compromise for consideration by the Council.

"In terms of affordable housing, the Council seeks up to 35 per cent of housing to be affordable and where this is not viable due to high land values or build costs, the Council requires a viability study to be submitted to demonstrate the appropriate level of affordable housing for the site taking into account costs of development and predicted GDV (gross development value).

"In this case a viability study has been submitted and this is with the district valuer for review at present."