A former hotel and restaurant could be turned into two four-bedroom homes and a guest house if the town-centre plans are given the green light.

The plans, submitted to Gwynedd Council, include the conversion of Barmouth’s former Lion Hotel into a smaller guest house and two four-bedroom homes.

The hotel, which shut in 2010, formerly housed a restaurant and 21 letting rooms, but according to the applicants the new plans for the town’s high street would offer a form of accommodation not currently available in the area.

The converted business would retain its licensed hotel facilities but on a smaller scale.

The design and access statement, accompanying the application submitted by Stonewest Construction Ltd, says: “Due to the current state of dereliction of the property, and with the benefit of the applicant currently running two other similar businesses in Barmouth, the historic and envisaged trading figures for the hotel as currently configured is uneconomical and unsustainable.

“Barmouth could not support another business of this type and size.

“It is felt that the design and proposals as now put forward are a viable scheme of development in terms of the continued use as a licensed premises, guest house on the site and an appropriate scheme of enhancing to the facilities provided, together with the improvement of the appearance of the premises and their setting.”

It’s expected that Gwynedd Council planners will make a decision over the coming months.

See this week’s Meirionnydd edition, in shops and online now