A FORMER nursing home in Newport could be turned into a new boutique hotel if a planning application is successful.

Twin chefs Sergio and Pasquale Cinotti have applied to the local council for permission to convert Grade II listed Rothbury House in residential Stow Park Circle, Newport, into a restaurant with rooms to let.

Before becoming a nursing home the impressive building was previously a private home dating back to about 1880. Planning permission was granted two years ago to convert it to flats.

But the new plan, following its acquisition late in 2014, has provoked a negative response from near neighbours of the property.

“How has this totally shocking proposal been sanctioned to proceed by the council, it is an affront to the residence of the circle,” writes one objector the scheme.

Another respondent noted the proximity to the local Register Office, also in Stow Park Circle, would make the proposed hotel ideal for wedding receptions. “It is a fact that such events can degenerate into raucous, bawdy, unseemly shindigs,” they added.

See the planning application for Rothbury House

Speaking to the South Wakes Argus, Pasquale Cinotti commented: “We don’t want a rowdy place, that’s not our style anyway. We want it to be a very high class standard with rooms around £300 a night. Gold-plated cutlery and very soft piano and harp music playing in the background, that kind of thing.”

Wales

BoutiqueHotels.co.uk Staff

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