NEGOTIATIONS to bring a Travelodge to Pwllheli with 35 new jobs have been dramatically halted - after the local authority pulled out of discussions with developers.

Over the last few months concerns have been raised over the delay in the opening of the new hotel in the town – with a year gone by since planning was granted by Gwynedd Council.

Developers Osborne House were given the go-ahead in October 2014 by Gwynedd Council’s planning committee to build a 55-room hotel and restaurant on the banks of the marina on Cae Ceffyl, which was expected to create 35 jobs and pump at least £800,000 into the local economy.

However, Gwynedd Council has now revealed it has withdrawn from negotiations with the developers because the council believes they are not in a position to proceed

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Following extensive negotiations it became clear that Osborne House were not in a position to proceed on the basis of their original proposal, and it was with regret that Gwynedd Council withdrew from negotiations with the company in November 2015.”

Osborne House said they were disappointed with the decision by the council but said they were still committed to opening a hotel in the Llyn town.

The spokesperson added: “The tragedy is that the continuing delays could well result in Travelodge losing interest in Pwllheli and I am not aware of any other operator wanting to open a hotel in Pwllheli at this present time.

“I do not know what the council has to lose by staying with us for another six months to sort the outstanding issues out – we have already both spent four and a half years trying to overcome the difficulties and we have spent tens of thousands of pounds.”

Gwynedd Council say they will commence marketing the site in the New Year.

Pwllheli town councillor, Jonathan Roberts, said he was disappointed to hear that Gwynedd Council had called off negotiations with the developers.

He said: “This news is bitterly disappointing. I hope Gwynedd Council keep to their promise and market the site aggressively.

See full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition