New plans revealed for St Albans pub site

DEVELOPERS have submitted a second set of plans for a former village pub site. But this time IdealRise are seeking permission to convert The Swan in Watling Street, Park Street, into flats rather than to demolish it and build houses on its footprint. The

DEVELOPERS have submitted a second set of plans for a former village pub site.

But this time IdealRise are seeking permission to convert The Swan in Watling Street, Park Street, into flats rather than to demolish it and build houses on its footprint.

The original proposal, which was dismissed at an appeal in May, was for seven three-bedroom houses and parking for 11 cars on the now derelict land.

Government planning inspector Brendan Lyons supported Idealrise's claim that it wasn't viable to return the building to a pub but he maintained that the building should be retained as it made a positive contribution to the area's character.

The latest application is for the former Fuller's pub, a listed building, to be converted into four flats and for a terrace of three houses to be built on the adjoining car park.

Mr Lyons also upheld the council's rejection of a separate application for retrospective planning permission for 2.4 metre-high hoarding around the site but it remains in place.

A council spokesperson explained that no enforcement action had been taken because a decision has yet to be made on the latest application to convert the pub.