A pub that closed last year could disappear forever as developers want to convert it to housing.

The Check Inn in Woodland View in Wroughton was closed by brewery Fullers I April 2023 and sold in July to Venture24 Holdings.

Now a different company Woodview Estates Management Ltd has applied to Swindon Borough Council to convert the empty pub into five houses.

As part of that it would knock down an extension to the side of the building, but replace it with another two-storey extension.

The company’s plans show the pub building would be divided into five terraced houses. All would have two bedrooms, some a double and single, and some two double bedrooms.

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The beer garden would be converted to parking at two spaces per house.

Wood View Estates says in its application: “The development proposal aims to preserve the character of the local area and presents an opportunity to introduce additional landscaping both within and along the boundaries of the application site.

“The scheme would be sympathetic to local landscape character and would safeguard and restore the character of the natural environment.”

The company says it will introduce new hedging around the site to create “defined borders and a defensible space” and that with other tree and shrub planting will fulfil the bio-diversity net game obligations all new developments must have- creating habitats to increase the number and diversity of wildlife.

The application adds: “There will be no unacceptable impact on surrounding residential properties as a result of the development. The proposals will complement and improve its immediate setting within Wroughton by demonstrating a sympathetic and reasonable approach to retaining and enhancing the character, appearance and setting of the village.”

It is sometimes more difficult to get planning permission to convert pubs as they are considered to be of value to communities as a rule.

The application takes pains to stress how the pub was deemed economically unviable: “The Check Inn was initially marketed for sale in  June 2022 and was on the market for over two years with no interested parties willing to progress the sale for the retention of the public house or restaurant use.

“The sale was eventually completed on  15 July, 2024 to develop the site into residential units as no buyer could be found who wanted to retain The Check Inn with its current use.”

Comments on the application should be made by November 26 and the deadline for deciding the plan is December 24.

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