An historic St Albans pub which is estimated to have been built in the 17th century is the subject of a planning application to change its use to a four-bedroomed house.

The Blue Anchor in Fishpool Street closed its doors for the last time in spring 2014 and has remained empty ever since.

Owners McMullen & Sons maintained it had tried to find a suitable tenant for the pub, a Grade II listed building, but without success.

The application from Osprey Developments is to convert it into a four bedroomed home with remodelling and alterations to the single storey rear extensions including changes to the roofs.

It has been ‘called in’ by two district councillors for a decision by a planning committee - one if the officers are minded to recommend the application is granted and the other if it is recommended for refusal.

Cllr Edgar Hill is concerned that the architectural style, street setting, roof form and windows and materials should be appropriate to the street setting in what he describes as ‘this sensitive historical area’ if the application is approved

Cllr Jessica Chivers, who has called it in should the recommendation be refusal, said that its current appearance, empty for over 12 months with high wooden fences across the car park and security signage, detracted from the appearance of the area.

She added: “The building has failed to thrive as a public house which is why it is in its current state. I believe residents close the building are broadly supportive of the application for the reasons I have outlined.”