A SPA hotel set to bring 150 jobs to Monmouth is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Monmouthshire County Council’s (MCC) planning committee met yesterday (3rd May) and unanimously went against planning officers’ recommendations to refuse the plans based on flooding risks.

Natural Resources Wales had said the site on Hadnock Road, Monmouth was “highly vulnerable” and should not be permitted but councillors believed the benefits far outweigh the flooding risk.

The development, submitted by Alchemy Hospitality Management Ltd, has received wide support from residents and businesses in the area with the spa hotel forecast to boost the local economy by £3.1 million per year.

The hotel is planned to have 60 bedrooms, six two-bed hotel apartments and a destination spa.

The spa will include fitness studios, relaxation rooms, a clinic and treatment rooms. The site would also include a cookery school, wellness clinic and hairdressers.

It is anticipated the development would create roughly 300 jobs during construction and it is hoped these are filled by local people.

The plans were recommended for refusal over flooding concerns raised by Natural Resources Wales and the lack of a planned dry escape route from the site.

Liz Hacket Pain spoke about the support received from Wyesham residents. She said: “This planning application has taken quite a lot of time. A lot of consultation has taken place and I’m here to represent the views of residents in the ward of Wyesham.

“I have listened to residents on many occasions and have been to public meetings to listen to what people have to say.

“Having spent quite a long time listening to residents the consensus is that it would be of value to the town, particularly in providing employment. Any employment for the town is greatly welcomed.

Mrs Hacket Pain continued: “The town of Monmouth has a tourist element to it and the hotel would work particularly well with that.

“Having listened to what residents have to say, I would very much support this application.”

Councillor Bob Hayward said: “We as a committee have to decide whether the flooding risks outweigh the economic benefits. The worst expected flood sounds like it will come to the top of the car park. If you had Wellington boots then that would overcome the flooding risks.

“The town needs a hotel and I recommend that we approve the development.”

David Cummings, chairman of Monmouth and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “The economic case for supporting this application is clear and unequivocal. 150 new jobs and £3.1 million benefit per year every year, for the local economy. This is easily the most important commercial development project for Monmouth in living memory.

“The extensive landscaping planned for the site will bring back to this area, which has huge expanses of concrete, a scene of trees an grass more in keeping with the natural environment, improve biodiversity and be the vista one would expect on the banks of the beautiful River Wye.”

Jan Kitcher, the MD of Alchemy Hospitality Management Ltd, said: “We are delighted that the council has approved our plans for a premium hotel and destination spa in Monmouth.

The plans have been granted outline planning permission and a further, in depth proposal will need to return to the planning committee at a later date for consideration.