The hotel once had its own amateur dramatics society

Plans to convert the 19th Century Sealawns Hotel at Ogmore-by-Sea into 24 flats are opposed by some residents who say it is the village's last pub.

Objectors include and Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones and poet Dannie Abse, who has a home in the seaside village.

A public meeting to discuss the plans was held in the village on Tuesday.

The Sealawns Hotel once had its own amateur dramatics society, which staged week-long productions at the nine-bedroom hotel twice a year.

Welsh Environment Minister Carwyn Jones said the hotel was one of the attractions which drew him to the village during summer months when he was a teenager.

I think what people would like is to have more time to see if somebody would buy the hotel as a going concern Carwyn Jones AM

Some Ogmore-by-Sea residents claim the demolition plans before Vale of Glamorgan Council will badly affect the character of the community and have sent a dossier of objections to the planning committee.

Chris Jones, spokesman for residents' action committee, said: "The Sealawns hotel is the last pub in the village. It is the only hotel/pub directly overlooking the Glamorgan Heritage coast.

"To build another block of flats will be another nail in the coffin in the life of Ogmore-By-Sea.

Public inquiry

"Contrary to belief, Ogmore-by-Sea is a village full of young families, as well as long-standing residents. Ogmore-by-Sea needs a pub and a social gathering place."

Carwyn Jones spoke against the planning proposals at the meeting on Tuesday at Ogmore School camp, along with Conservative Alun Cairns, AM for South West Wales.

He said before the meeting: "I think what people would like is to have more time to see if somebody would buy the hotel as a going concern.

"I know the owner is looking to sell it for personal reasons. I understand it was not losing money. It would be a great shame to lose it."

Other opponents of the plan include the poet Dannie Abse.

Objection letters

A spokesman for Vale of Glamorgan council said the local authority had received more than 100 letters of objection to the scheme, which was submitted in January.

He said the planning committee would decide their position at their next meeting but, due to the length of time the plans had been considered, the developers had since exercised their right to call for a public planning appeal on the application.

He said: "We have received an application to demolish the existing buildings and build 24 flats with car parking.

"The committee's stance will be formed on 14 June and application will go to a public planning inquiry appeal on the grounds of non-determination."