Plans for a hotel on the Portal Road site in Monmouth have collapsed after the failure of the developers to get a restaurant to partner the budget chain hotel planned for the site.

It was in 2008 that the site was earmarked for a 50 bedroom facility with parking and a stop for a national chain of coaches, who at present have to make their way into town to drop off and collect passengers.

Town councillors heard at Monday's meeting (28th January) that developers had "failed to meet the delivery and cost requirements" as they could find no restaurant for the site to work in conjunction with Premier Inn.

"We were under the impression that the deal was close to signing, but nothing was further from the truth," said Councillor Terry Ashton.

"We are now back at square one after four years of negotiation."

Ashton was disappointed that all this had been going on and Monmouth people knew nothing of the position with the developers.

"We should make Monmouthshire County Council (MTC) consult with Monmouth Town Council (MTC) so that we can have some input".

There were calls for MCC to take the opportunity to sue the developers who cut down the trees on the site, Cllr Bob Hayward pointed out that the contractors were under the impression they had permission from the Environment Agency to remove the trees, but MCC have now accepted that the trees were cut down erroneously and are making the contractor replant over half a hectare of trees on the site or elsewhere.

Cllr Hayward also confirmed that the site was within the LDP and earmarked for a hotel, so it could be used for no other purpose.

It was decided to send a strong letter to MCC to say a hotel should be built on the site as soon as possible.

David Cummings, special projects manager of Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "The chamber very much appreciates the comments made by councillors at Monday night's full Town Council meeting to support a three star hotel for the Portal Road site and their decision to write to the county council on the urgent need for a hotel in the short term to satisfy customer demand.

"We have made the case to MCC on many occasions over the last seven years, that the need for a three star hotel for Monmouth is irrefutable, the solution is logical and the time to seize the opportunity is now.

"There is simply no better way to support the economy of our town and to satisfy the needs of tourists, businesses and locals alike."