A PUB looks set to be turned into six apartments as a planning application has been backed for approval.

Proposals to transform the former Horse and Jockey on Chapel Street in the village of Ponciau, near Wrexham, were submitted in November.

It came after the pub closed its doors in April 2017 as the owners said they had received regular complaints from neighbours about the entertainment they put on.

Owners Admiral Taverns put the property up for sale, but received little interest to continue its use as a business.

As a result, Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer has recommended the scheme to transform it into living accommodation should go ahead.

In a report set to go before councillors next week, Lawrence Isted said: “The property was marketed from August 2017 with the sale of the property being completed in September 2018.

“Based on the information submitted, the property was clearly marketed as a public house with agents that specialise in the sale of this type of premises.

The Leader:

“Between August 2017 and May 2018 there were six viewings and four offers.

“However, there was no interest from any party with a view to continued commercial use.

“In light of the above I am minded to conclude that the public house use of the site is unlikely to be viable and that all reasonable attempts to sell the business as a going concern have been made.”

If approved by members of the council’s planning committee, the building will be turned into three two bed apartments, two studio apartments and one with one bedroom.

Mr Isted said the development would result in minimal changes to the appearance of the building.

Two objections have been received by the authority raising concerns about the lack of parking, but he added that he did not feel the proposal would make the situation worse.

He said: “The potential demand for off-street parking compared is considerably reduced by the current proposals compared to the previous use of the premises.

“The development is therefore far less likely to give rise to on-street parking problems in the locality and any associated disruption to the amenity of nearby occupiers.

“Whilst noting comments made about the possible displacement of parking on the opposite side of Duke Street as a result of the intended us of the access to the rear of the application site, this is an existing access.

“ I am not persuaded that the proposals make matters materially worse that were the accesses used to serve the extant use or any other alternate use for the site, including a lesser number of flats.”

The plans will be considered at a meeting at Wrexham’s Guildhall on Tuesday, 7 May.