End of an era as Alveston House Hotel is demolished

Last year South Gloucestershire councillors approved plans to replace it with a 22-home cul-de-sac, despite objections from dozens of residents and Alveston Parish Council.

This followed several failed attempts to build houses on the site in previous years.

Attempts to get the hotel listed proved unsuccessful and in 2019 South Gloucestershire Council officers ruled prior approval would not be required before the building is demolished.

So when Prestige Retirement Living had their application approved at development management committee meeting in October 2020, the hotel's fate was sealed.

Alveston House Hotel: Photo: Richard Cornock

Built in 1797, it was originally a private family home but later became a school for children with learning disabilities and then an academy for soldiers.

It was once owned by Captain Barnwell, who built and flew the first aircraft in Scotland in 1910 and went on to be chief engineer at British Aerospace in Filton.

Photos of the demolished hotel were posted on social media by Richard Cornock, and received an emotional response.

Alveston House Hotel: Photo: Richard Cornock

One commenter said: "This is so sad. It was a lovely building inside and out. A real loss for Alveston."

Another said: "Felt sad when I drove by, it’s been there all my life."

A third added: "When I drove by and saw it had been obliterated, I felt physically sick. This is vandalism in my eyes."

READ MORE: Alveston House Hotel to be demolished for 22 homes