AN Application to build four houses and re-open a pub near Malvern is being considered by the district council.

The application is for four new dwellings and to form a new pub on the site of the Pheasant Inn at Welland along with access, parking and landscaping.

Attached to the application is a heritage statement detailing how the development will impact on the local area.

In the statement, Dr Peter Wardle says: "The proposals must be seen in perspective and in particular public benefit from the restoration of a community asset.

"All increases in the number of dwellings will increase the number of people who use the Church.

"Public Houses near or next to Parish Churches are extremely common.

"The church has always been near to the public house and thus any impact in noise will be a neutral

change."

In 2017, a group of residents announced their intentions to buy the pub, which had stood empty since 2010.

At the time the pub closed down, freeholder Peter Bailey said the Pheasant had seen no less than five tenants come and go since 1998.

The site has been the subject of numerous applications from developers since it closed down, with applications to build various numbers of houses in the area around its Drake Lane location.

Several residents have submitted responses to the application, with one, Ray Biggs, saying: "The pheasant site at present is an eyesore at the centre of the village.

To develop the Pub with additional accommodation can only be beneficial to the village.

"With all the new development within the village it would be good to have a Pub to walk to without having to consider driving.

"It would be good to have a place in the heart of the village where people could meet and greet."

Another resident, Ronald Barker, applauded the application, saying: "The designs proposed here are better by a strong margin than any previous propositions.

"It fully utilises the current building (which will provide serious commercial underpinning) and then adds an innovative extension to provide a facility of local value.

"The proposed structure is totally in keeping with the rural setting whilst using a striking modern design and approach that will be attractive to visitors and locals alike."