A multi-millionaire has put forward his own plans to transform the derelict former North Wales Hospital.

Lawrence Kenwright and Signature Investments are proposing to build two hotels, a number of homes and a centre of excellence all while keeping the original site.

The proposed transformation work is set to create more than 200 jobs in the area while also creating over 100 apprentices a year for the community out of the centre of excellence.

Mr Kenwright, Chairman Signature Living, said: “We believe Signature Living’s plans for Denbigh represent the best possible outcome on all levels for the local community, the local economy, inward investment and job creation in North Wales.

“Our proposal for Denbigh - unlike other schemes - is to keep all of the original buildings, preserving the history and iconic status of this magnificent listed building.

“We will shine a light on Denbigh, as we have done with Liverpool, bringing inward investment, creating jobs and tourism.

“We will create two luxury hotels, a range of residential homes and create 450 long term hospitality jobs in the process.

“In addition to this we will also create 250 local jobs relating to the building process.

“The training centre of excellence will become a hub to help serve Signature Living’s hospitality expansion, as we will soon be trading from 10 hotels throughout the UK with plans to expand into Europe.”

Signature Living have, over the past ten years, have regenerated a number of listed historical buildings.

Mr Kenwright said: “We breathe new life into these tired and often derelict listed buildings, turning them into thriving hotels and businesses.

“Over the last ten years we have developed eight derelict buildings, each of which has become a commercial success. Many of these buildings had just lost their commercial viability and had fallen into disrepair."

The Former North Wales Hospital - the main building being a Grade II listed building - was built in 1844-8, to provide care for Welsh speaking people suffering from mental illnesses. It was extended in the 1860s and again in the 20th century and by 1956 there were 1500 patients.

The Health Authority announced closure in 1987 and the last patient left in 1995. Since then, the abandoned site has fallen into a serious state of disrepair.

The site is currently owned by Freemont (Denbigh) Limited however in 2015 compulsory purchase order (CPO) was granted to the Denbighshire County Council (DCC).

This means once legalities are sorted Freemont will be forced to sell the building to the DCC having failed to comply with a Repairs Notice which required them to carry out significant repairs to the buildings on site.

Once the CPO is finalised the DCC had planned to transfer ownership of the site to the North Wales Building Preservation Trust (NWBPT) - a not for profit registered charity.

The Prince Regeneration Trust who support the NWBPT also applied for a planning application was submitted seeking permission to convert/restore/part demolish the main range buildings to apartments and to allow mixed use development in the grounds for enabling purposes (up to 200 residential units and business units).

The listed building application seeks consent to part demolish the rear sections of the main Grade II building and to demolish other buildings at the rear of the main block.

Both applications were granted subject to conditions. But these new plans put forward by Mr Kenwright will now give the DCC something else to think about.

Mr Knewright said even if his company is not successful in its application he implored Denbigh residents to not allow the bulldozers in to destroy the truly amazing building.

He added: “Denbigh planning department have already passed plans and approved the demolition of 80% of this building.

“They cite the basis for this permission to knock down these buildings on the grounds that they do not believe there is a commercial reason to justify keeping these structures.

“We have proven time and time again that these buildings can be saved and that by doing so once again becomes a tourism beacon that will not only help create jobs but help to bring tourists from all over the World.”