A historic Herefordshire country hotel is to be converted into holiday let apartments.

The 15-bedroom, grade II-listed Pengethley Manor is a Georgian country house set in 15 acres of land, including its own vineyard, off the A49 north of Ross-on-Wye. It was converted into a hotel in 1948.

Two other buildings in the grounds which currently house a further seven guest bedrooms – the Coach House and the Old Stables, currently also a private home – will also be converted to self-contained holiday lets under the newly approved plans.

The apartments will have between one and four beds each. The private home will be relocated to within the manor itself.

RELATED NEWS:

The plan “seeks to diversify the quality and nature of the overnight accommodation on offer by responding to the changing needs of the industry”, according to the application submitted by current co-owner Steve Worrallo.

“The proposed holiday let use would not change or adversely affect natural or historic heritage assets,” it added.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Ross-on-Wye news? It's easy, just sign up for our weekly email newsletter here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.

The property has passed through several hands in recent years. Brooks Hotels bought it in 2016 but were unable “to make the hotel a viable business”, the application says.

Since 2020 it has been let out as an international training facility for healthcare professionals.

“The loss of the hotel is regrettable, however there is no policy requirement for its retention,” according to council planning officer Heather Carlisle, who could find no reason to refuse the proposal or its accompanying application for listed building consent.

She proposed setting an agreed noise management plan as a condition of approval, to address neighbours’ fears of its potential use as a “party house”, or as a wedding venue – which a further condition now prohibits.