A COUNCILLOR is urging people in Launceston to give their views on the potential for the use of a historic hotel to revert to being a residential property.

Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central, Alex Folkes said the authority had received 'far fewer comments from the public' on the second application seeking to change the use of the Eagle House Hotel — a change of use application for the hotel last May was refused as councillors considered the loss of the hotel would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre and an adverse impact on tourism, while resulting in the loss of a community facility.

Cllr Folkes said he is 'urging anyone who has a view on the current application to get in touch with the council as soon as possible'.

He said: "The applicants have made a better case this time with evidence from a hospitality expert about viability.

"On the other hand, the result would still be a loss of jobs and the loss of key amenities in the town in the form of hotel bedrooms and the function suite, which has hosted many dozens of parties, weddings and events for local organisations over the years."

Cllr Folkes said he expects the decision on the application will be made by Cornwall Council's East Sub-Area planning committee in August.

Alexander Dunlavey from Eagle House Hotel said: "We took over Eagle House Hotel as a family business and have received a number of positive comments for the services which we have provided.

"However, we realised that the business needed transforming, in particular re-pricing. Unfortunately once this was implemented, a number of clients decided to take their business elsewhere.

"We have however, remained open; but with a very limited pipeline of future bookings it is impossible for the business to be viable. We have significant competition in and around the town, especially the town hall. Furthermore, outline planning consent for a 60-bedroom hotel at Pennygillam, which will only compound the problem.

"We have also been independently assessed by a hotel expert, who feels that there is no defined market for Eagle House Hotel and has identified a number of operational problems relating to the building. We are still searching for a purchaser without success.

"Consequently, it is obvious that there is no future for Eagle House as a hotel, and therefore as a family we decided to re-apply for planning to change the building back to its original and best use as a single house, not flats, in order to give the building a future."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.