THE OWNERS of the former Savernake Forest Hotel have said the Marlborough Area Development Trust's fears of job losses are unfounded.

Karl and Angela Baum run a successful business, KBA Consultancy and Training Ltd, from the old hotel building between Burbage and Durley.

It was once a thriving small country hotel in the days when the nearby Savernake Station was in use and when Hawtreys preparatory school was in operation at Tottenham House.

Mr and Mrs Baum ran it as a hotel for only a year after taking it over from Shakespearean actor Richard Johnson at the end of whose tenure the hotel went into voluntary receivership.

Mr Baum is seeking planning permission to turn part of the Grade Two- listed building into four homes.

The planning application led members of the trust to express concern that as the premises are currently in employment use as a training centre they feared there could be a loss of jobs.

KBA has responded saying that the change of use to homes is to safeguard the future of the listed building as it requires major investment.