North West Leicestershire District Council last night (Thursday) gave the go-ahead for a scheme to build 17 town houses around the Royal Hotel.

The council's planning committee debated the plans which are designed to bring the Royal back into use after lying empty for six years.

Councillors voted 10 to one to support the Oakland Hotels plan which had been criticised by organisations such as Historic England and the Ashby Civic Society.

But council leader, Cllr Richard Blunt, said: "This is one of the most complicated applications I've seen.

"It's the least bad option.

"In among all the thousands of words written about this, I think it all boils down to three numbers - seven, three, seven.

Image: BHB Architects

"When the developer puts the roof on the hotel, the first seven houses can be started, then work is done to the outside of the building, and three houses can be started.

"The most important of all those number is the final seven, those houses cannot be sold until the hotel is finished - and occupied as a hotel.

"That means in five or 10 years' time, there will still be a controlling mechanism to keep, whoever owns the building, focused on that.

"What is the alternative? Generally, people do not want to buy buildings of this nature."

The committee was told there would be 10 town houses to the north, on what is now the Royal car park, and seven to the south of the hotel.

It is called an enabling development, designed to secure the future of the hotel.

The first phase of restoration work has already begun. Photo: Ashby Nub News

Councillors were told there are no funds available to restore the Grade II** listed building without the new houses.

But the committee was that while there was a risk to the project, the council feels that it is worth it if it means restoring the Royal.

Former Ashby town councillor, Dan Harrison, made his objections known - and offered up an alternative.

He said: "I spoke to a company of hotels called Bespoke, and they've inspected the Royal building twice.

"Their vision was to turn Ashby into the Harrogate of the East Midlands by developing the Royal.

"Sixty-bed plus, and the amenities of a top hotel.

"But we're now being offered something else, it's not going to be the hotel it could be.

"I think this is really bad. I spoke to Historic England who were concerned.

"An enabling development is designed to build something, not to bodge it up a bit.

"Where is the money? Can he do it? This isn't right. I'd refer you to an international company."

Image: BHB Architects

Ward councillor Dave Bigby, the chair of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's planning committee, admitted the application was the only way to save the Royal.

He said: "The first question is, is this the minimum development required to secure the restoration of the hotel? It is, but there's a danger it won't raise enough money.

"Will the hotel be a viable business? Yes, but there are no guarantees.

"Will the legal arrangements be robust enough to ensure the funds are use to restore the hotel? That appears to be the case.

"It is important to understand what will happen if there is insufficient money to complete the restoration or if the developer goes bust.

"But I share real concerns about the loss of 81 trees on the site and the reduction in car parking spaces to 63, compared to 75.

"The view from the Bath Grounds will be spoilt by the development.

"Had this not been an enabling development, there would've been material grounds to refuse permission."

But Cllr Bigby added: "This is the best chance we have of preserving the Royal Hotel, Ashby's second most important piece of heritage apart from the Castle.

"Any other development on the site would almost certainly result in the demolition of the Royal Hotel.

The proposed development would see 10 homes built to the north of the hotel, and seven to the south

"My considered view is that Ashby would be best served by preserving the Royal, and unfortunately losing the Hastings Garden and its trees. This application is the only way this is likely to happen.

"But I was pleased to get reassurances that the Hastings Garden will not be spoiled until the phase three works commence, and it will not be used as a construction compound."

Cllr Rachel Canny added: "Looking at this hotel, it hasn't got very long. The quicker we can do something about it, the better.

"It's in a very sad and sorry state. We have a building that's falling apart, I have no problem with the town houses. But I'd have preferred to see a better mix.

'Who is buying a five-bedroom apartment?

"But it's the financial balance that gives me the heeby-jeebies. Will it work? I support this, but there are many down sides."

Cllr Nigel Smith, representing Ravenstone and Packington, added: "If the application is permitted, is it feasible to prevent any work from starting until the £625,000 this company is to receive from Ashby Town Council for the Bath Grounds, is actually spent on restoring the hotel?

"To show faith and goodwill."

It was made clear to the committee that the first priority was to get the Royal building watertight.

Cllr Smith added: "There are too many loose ends in this application. When we ignore the concerns of Historic England, and ride roughshod over it, I think we're creating a problem for the future."

But the council made it clear it has been in discussions with Historic England and had not 'ridden roughshod' over the concerns,