A WREXHAM pub will be converted into six new homes after calls for it to be saved fell flat.
An application was put forward earlier this year to turn the Oak Tree Inn on Ruabon Road into three two-storey houses, with three further properties behind it.
It came after the pub closed its doors in April as it was said to be trading at a significant loss.
Owners SG&EG Limited said they had searched for someone to take over the business, but were unsuccessful.
The proposals went before members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee on Monday, who backed the recommendation of officers to approve the scheme.
Proposals have been entered to turn the Oak Tree Inn on Ruabon Road in Wrexham into a total of six new homes. Source: Planning document
Their decision was made despite residents asking for the pub to be readvertised locally in a bid to keep it open
Speaking at the start of the meeting, ward councillor Alun Jenkins said: “News of the closure of the Oak Tree public house in April came as a shock to the local residents and the submission of the planning application in May also came as a complete surprise to everyone in the locality.
“Local residents didn’t know that the Oak Tree had been sold. They certainly didn’t even know that it had been available for sale.
“Policy requires that where there’s the loss of a facility such as public house permission will be granted only if all reasonable attempts have been made to sell or let the business over a 12-month period and have proved unsuccessful.
“It was advertised at a national level but certainly there wasn’t any advertising at a local level.
“A 12-month delay would allow for local advertising and would establish if there’s interest in keeping the establishment going as a social enterprise.”
The council’s chief planning officer had recommended the plans for approval.
In his report, Lawrence Isted said the developers had provided evidence to show the pub was making less than £100 on most days, including Saturdays, as well as including details of where it had been advertised.
Planning chair Mike Morris said there was no requirement for the pub to be advertised locally.
An attempt was made to refuse the scheme because of concerns about the standard of accommodation.
But the majority of councillors chose in favour of approving the proposals by nine votes to six.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here