Ashby de la Zouch Civic Society says it does not want to see the Royal Hotel 'ruined' by an unsuitable development - and is 'bitterly disappointed' about the new plans for the site.

The Society has registered its views on the revised proposal for the currently empty Royal, which was submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council last month.

An extraordinary meeting of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's planning committee met this week to 'raise serious concerns' about the proposed development. You can read that article HERE.

Images of the planned buildings have been made public - and the Civic Society has made it clear how it wants to see any development progress.

Their comments to the district council centre on the four new buildings shown in the planning application.

The Society's views include: "We love our historic Royal Hotel and do not wish it to be ruined by unsuitable development.

"We would like to see it remain as a hotel but would be willing to see it repurposed if the historical features are retained.

"The proposed new buildings will dominate the grade 2* listed hotel.

"In particular the Care Home block and the apartments are so large that they mask the very building they are supposed to enhance.

"The design of the new buildings should complement the town's most important Georgian conservation area that is formed by the listed Royal Hotel, Rawdon Terrace, the Catholic Church, the Loudon Memorial the Bath Grounds.

"The applicant has had 10 years to come up with a suitable design that will enhance the conservation area.

"We are bitterly disappointed with the application which has been submitted, both in its design and content which is both incomplete and misleading.

"The view from both Station Road and the Bath Grounds show the Royal Hotel dominated and crushed by excessive new buildings of poor design.

"The new buildings pick up no design features from the Royal Hotel, particularly the overall vertical features. This is particularly disappointing compared to what was achieved in the modern Royal Mews building opposite.

"We endorse the original statement by Historic England which very strongly criticises the plans. We await their comments on the revised proposals."