A HEREFORD pub which has been empty for more than a decade is set to be replaced by flats.

Herefordshire Housing has been given permission to build 35 new flats on the site of The Ship Inn on Cross Street and Ross Road, Hereford.

The scheme, which received strong support from Hereford City Council, would comprise one and two-bedroom flats.

Originally, the application outlined plans for 19 affordable and 16 market rent properties, but this has now been amended and all 35 will be affordable rent.

In one of its latest letters to the council as part of the application, Herefordshire Housing's agent said: "This important regeneration site presents an opportunity to greatly enhance a key juncture on the southern arterial routes into Hereford, which not only introduces the city centre, but contributes to the setting of the Hereford Central Conservation Area."

It is the latest development led by the housing firm in the South Wye area, with a multi-million pound programme of improvement and regeneration in the Oval area well under way.

There will be a total of 26 parking spaces for the 23 two-bedroom and 12 one-bedroom flats.

Scaffolding will soon be seen at the site as the developer secures the area, but a date is not yet known for when construction work will begin.