Slow economy delays hotel plans

The castle features in a book of 'forgotten' Welsh homes In pictures: Forgotten houses

Owners of a ruined Gothic castle say their plans to transform it into a luxury hotel complex have been delayed by the economic downturn.

But Halifax-based Clayton homes add they are committed to the project at Gwrych Castle, near Abergele, Conwy.

The company said they hope to submit a planning application later for a 110 bed county house hotel this summer.

It is estimated it will cost between £12 and £14 million to turn the main building into a functioning hotel.

Clayton Homes bought the crumbling Gwrych Castle in early 2007.

Grade I listed

The company's land and acquisitions manager Jason Sanderson said that work had been carried out to clear much of the building and to make it safe.

He said around 1,900 tonnes of debris had so far been removed.

A detailed survey has been completed and this is being used by architects as they draw up plans for the hotel.

"We would hope work would be started in the next two years at the very outside," said Mr Sanderson.

"In the current climate it would be imprudent to push it forward when the hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard in the current economic crisis."