Good progress is being made on a project to convert one of Westbury’s historic hotels, the Grade 2-listed Lopes Arms, into three residential homes.

The property in Market Place was put up for sale at a Strakers public auction in August last year with a guide price of £550,000 but was later withdrawn.

Lily Designs Ltd started work in March on the refurbishment and conversion of the redundant hotel that had sat dormant for five years.

David Thorne, development director of the Hedge Hunter group, based in Avebury Trusloe, said: “It’s lovely to see the old girl coming back to shape. Hopefully, we are moving in the right direction.”

The Hedge Hunter group gained planning permission last year from Wiltshire Council to convert the Lopes Arms and Mr Thorne said they have been using skilled tradesmen and reviving old methods to convert the building.

“We have found a lot of dry and wet rot, as well as death watch beetle infestation, but we are using old school trades, such as lime mortar.

“We have also kept a lot of the old materials and are rejuvenating and re-using these, such as the oak beams, where we can.”

The building is currently covered in scaffolding while roofing takes place but this part of the construction process should be finished in the next two weeks.

Most of the front façade will stay the same, but the entrances to the three properties will be at the rear of the building, which will have a new Alfred Street address.

Mr Thorne added: “We have employed six local guys and are using a lot of local labour and the guys are spending their money in the local pubs, which is good for the local economy.

“It’s all coming together and it’s always better when the sun is shining. We are getting a lot of interest in the properties from people who want to know when they will be available.

The scheme offers private gated parking and the private gardens are being designed with ecology at its foundation to encourage butterflies, bees and other insects.

“When it’s finished, the gardens will be a green haven in the middle of town,” said Mr Thorne, who says completion is still on track for spring 2023.

The development, to be renamed The Hops, was originally named after Sir Manasseh Massey Lopes who bought the manor and borough in 1810.