AN historic town centre hotel which closed down three years ago when its owners floated proposals for housing redevelopment has been put on the market for £5m.

Some townspeople, including then Ross mayor Harry Bramer, described it as “unthinkable” that the Chase Hotel in the heart of the town should close its doors.

But some welcomed plans for up to 120 apartments in the 200-year-old Georgian building plus five homes in the grounds when the owners held a consultation event in 2019.

No plans have been submitted to planners since it shut its doors, but the building set in 11.8 acres of landscaped grounds, has now been put up for sale as an “outstanding development opportunity with potential for residential, care or mixed-use”.

Owners Camanoe Estates Ltd—who include One Show TV doctor Mark Porter, a cousin of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire host Jeremy Clarkson—closed the hotel in September 2019, saying it was making a loss.

Built as a lawyer’s private residence in 1818 on land used in Medieval times as a hunting ground by the Bishop of Hereford, it became a hotel in 1927.

Agents at Knight Frank who are marketing the property said additions and extensions, including a large car park, gave the Chase a “significant built footprint”.

“The building has conversion potential and the grounds have further potential for new build development, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents,” said a spokesperson.

“The property comprises 38 hotel bedrooms, staff accommodation and service areas arranged across the basement, ground, first and second floors...

“The ground floor space provides a commercial kitchen, staff reception, office, lounge, restaurant, ballroom, conference rooms and other services and storage areas…

“Subject to the necessary consents the property has great redevelopment potential and is identified for development within the Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Plan 2020.”

Agents add that pre-application discussions about the site’s development, including the redevelopment of the hotel and residential development in the grounds, have been held by the owners with planners.

Permission already exists for nine apartments in the building.

They add that alternative uses include a scheme of houses and flats with a mix of conversion and new build; a care village/retirement community as part of any new build or conversion scheme; and a single-family house with extensive grounds.

Agents said: “There is also potential for other commercial, conference, educational, institutional, leisure and training uses at the site.“

Harry Bramer, who has recently redeveloped and reopened the town’s Hope and Anchor pub, was among those who criticised the closure of the ‘iconic’ hotel.

Serving then as town mayor, he said that in his opinion it would be “staggeringly detrimental” for Ross to see the Chase Hotel shut its doors.

The hotel remained popular for functions up to its closure, with a charity dinner in 2019 in honour of late Ross-on-Wye England youth coach Dick Bate attended by top football managers and raising more than £40,000.

Some 200 people, including Olympic and world medalists, also attended a dinner celebrating the 150th anniversary of Monmouth School Rowing Club, there.

Mr Bramer said when the closure was first announced: “It is unthinkable that the hotel be allowed to close – and as the Mayor of Ross – I consider it my duty to take exception with the current owners Camanoe Estates Limited when they say “changing visitor preferences, coupled with high costs of upkeep have made it impossible to trade profitably”.

He claimed it was capable of becoming “a leading destination hotel”, with its own website highlighting “a major refurbishment plan”.