FRESH plans to close a historic Berkeley pub and turn it into new homes have been given the green light.

A planning application which would transform the Boars Head Inn and turn into four new homes has been approved by Stroud District Council.

The proposals - which were submitted in April - include partially demolishing the pub and converting it into two homes.

Meanwhile, two additional homes would be built in the site’s car park.

Planning documents state the pub - which dates back to 1844 - would be converted to retain “some of the heritage” of the original site.

Other works include adding a new shared road, installing ten parking spaces and the pub’s large rear skittle alley would be removed.

According to the application, the pub employs one full-time member of staff and two part-time employees.

However, according to planning documents, the pub has experienced financial difficulties in recent years.

The scheme was supported by Berkeley Town Council and also received conditional approval from Gloucestershire Highways.

The application was officially approved on November 6.

It is understood a SDC case officer contacted the applicant and negotiated changes to the design of the scheme.

While approving the plans, a planning officer highlighted the fact that there are two nearby hotels including the Malt House and the Berkeley Arms.

The officer said: “The proposed change of use to housing would result in the loss of an established public house that appears to have been in operation for many years.

“A marketing statement has been submitted and demonstrates that marketing has been
undertaken for a period of 17 months and that the property has been fully marketed to reach
as wide an audience as possible. 

“The initial guide price was considered excessive by the majority of interested parties and was subsequently reduced.

“Given the above, it is considered that the marketing was carried out on a reasonable
commercial basis.

“The application fulfils the requirements of policy EI6. The principle of the change of use of the public house can therefore be accepted.”

It comes as in April 2023, SDC rejected previous plans to build between six homes on the pub site due to worries about overdevelopment.

At the time, in its refusal the district council described the old scheme as "cramped" and "alien within the street scene".

You can view the approved application quoting S.24/0579/FUL or see here - tinyurl.com/pdre4pbr