THE owner of The Raven Hotel in Droitwich has reassured local residents he is planning to restore the building to its former glory and ensure it is a positive contributor to the town.

Rod Spollon, managing director of Greyfort Properties, confirmed plans to restore the Grade II listed building in St Andrew's Street to make way for a mix of residential and commercial buildings - which will include a bar and restaurant.

He said: "We were very committed to liaising with the local authority and ensuring that the planning permission was acceptable to the local community.

"We will do everything we can to ensure it is a positive contributor to Droitwich."

The state of the hotel and its future was discussed at the annual Droitwich Spa Town Council meeting on Monday.

At the meeting, one resident feared the hotel would fall into the same state of disrepair as the Worcestershire Hotel did in the 1980s. The hotel was later demolished to make way for luxury apartments.

Wychavon District Council’s deputy managing director Vic Allison and Councillor Bob Brookes who represents Droitwich East on Worcestershire County Council said both local authorities were being kept involved but as the building was in private ownership, they could not dictate the speed of the development.

Cllr Brookes said: "We can give planning permission but we can't turn around and say well it must be done by Friday.

"There are regular visits to ensure that it is doesn't deteriorate beyond a point of significance. Was something like that to happen, the relevant notices would be served.

"At this stage, the whole thing is mothballed. It is very much up to the private owner and what they want to do with it."

Mr Allison said: “It is in private ownership and it’s up to them how quickly they move on it but we’re being kept involved.

“We can’t hurry it along because it’s not in our ownership.

“We’re the planning authority, we can give planning permission but we can’t make somebody do something.

"We have certain powers with regards to listed buildings but I don’t think it is at that stage yet."