THE future of the former Abbey Hotel in Tintern may soon be clear, more than three years after it closed.

The owners of the building, which has sat closed and fenced off since 2013, released a statement last week stating that work on the site will begin soon.

The statement read: “We are currently reviewing the existing plans with the intention to improve the site and the impact on the community.

“Once the amendments have been agreed and consent given we plan to immediately start work on the site and will keep the local residents fully informed.”

Plans to convert the former hotel into 11 residential units were approved by Monmouthshire County Council with more than 30 conditions back in November 2013. However work on the site has not yet begun.

These comments come after a meeting between the owners, their agents, County Councillor Ann Webb and Monmouthshire County Council’s head of planning to attempt to reach agreement on plans at the end of 2016.

Cllr Webb said: “I arranged a meeting before Christmas with the owner, his agent and council planning officers. We agreed that the owner and his agent meet with planners to discuss a way forward.

“I’m still worried about the security of the building however, as the surrounding hoarding is not sufficiently robust to protect the building from intruders.

“Anti-social behaviour has already occurred on the site. In addition, the hoarding is unsightly. The owner has assured me that he will take action to secure the site and erect an effective barrier.”