A Fromes Hill pub, closed for about three years, could re-open if a planning application adding houses to the site is approved.

Michael Howe, of Munder-field, hopes to build five houses on the site of the Wheatsheaf Inn. The dwellings would go on the site of the existing car park, while a new car park would be built behind the pub.

Mr Howe said the pub needed substantial financial commitment to be commercially viable. So far he has spent £160,000 on refurbishing the property with a new kitchen, restaurant and disabled facilities.

"I'm interested in the housing side of it. There are several developments in Fromes Hill at the moment and it lends itself to that. The pub would really come secondary to that, but the houses would help make it viable," he said.

Herefordshire Council is due to examine the proposals over the coming weeks.