THE DECISION to change part of The Swan Hotel in Market Street, Wotton-under-Edge, into office and retail space has been described as "a great shame" by one of Wotton's district councillors.

Cllr Paul Smith (Lib Dem), who is also a town councillor, spoke against the plans at Stroud District Council development control committee on Tuesday.

However, despite Cllr Smith's efforts, members voted by a clear majority to back the recommendation of planning officers and allow the conversion of the ground floor of the former hotel and public house.

Cllr Smith told the Gazette: "It is a great shame that we are losing another leisure and tourism facility in Wotton-under-Edge.

"As it is we have a problem with the lack of accommodation here. There really aren't enough beds within the town itself."

Cllr Smith added that he had been "very much against" a similar proposal a few years ago when an applicant had wanted top turn the upper rooms of The Swan into flats.

However, he was unsure as to how much the town could benefit now that the latest plans had been approved.

He added: "At the end of the day it is better to permit the conversion than to leave the building empty - it seems to be the lesser of two evils.

"But all that has happened so far is that planning permission has been given - there is no guarantee that the office space will be filled."

The application by owner Barry Walker, of B Walker and Co Ltd, had attracted stiff opposition from Wotton Town Council.

At a recent meeting the town council voted to object to the application after Cllr Dr John Cordwell explained that it was contrary to the district council's local plan and could adversely affect the town's tourist economy.

But speaking to the Gazette last month Mr Walker insisted that there was no longer any profitability in running The Swan as a public house.

He said: "Over the last 12 years we have injected £500,000 in this property. Four tenants have tried to make a living out of The Swan only to lose their investments.

"If a change of use is granted, it will provide employment for quite a few local persons. If not, it will remain closed and boarded up."