THE SITE of a former Hereford pub could soon be built on, if plans are approved by Herefordshire Council.
The Sportsman pub, off Widemarsh Common, was demolished in 2011 but the site could soon have a new lease of life as plans to build six apartments were revealed.
Plans submitted to Herefordshire Council showed Reservoir Homes Limited wanted to build six, two-bed apartments on the site of the old pub, which it deemed to be an "appropriate number".
A design and access statement said very little remained of the pub, as after years of dilapidation and a fire the rest was demolished in 2011, before being bought by Reservoir Homes in 2012.
In 2010, arsonists targeted the building twice in the space of a month and in 2009 the pub’s legendary sign, depicting cricket hero WG Grace, who was said to have played on the nearby Widemarsh Common, was stolen.
"The proposed development and detailed design takes into account the character of the surrounding conservation area and reflects on comments received in previous applications in order to produce a scheme which will improve the appearance of an area which is currently wasteland," consultants said.
"The proposed would positively enhance the conservation area through the buildings high quality design and provide high quality residential accommodation."
In 2017, outline planning permission for a new pub was refused, and in March 2020 planners also turned down an application for a three-storey block of flats.
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Giving reasons for the refusal, planners said it would harm the Widemarsh Common conservation area, the design was not in-keeping with the surroundings, and there wasn't enough to protect residents from road noise from the A49.
Consultants said the issues had been addressed in the latest application.
"This application is for the proposed erection of a three-storey apartment building which would provide six residential units," they said.
"The proposed additional units will provide high quality bespoke residential accommodation which will also make a modest contribution to addressing Hereford’s housing deficit."
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They added: "It is considered that six units constitutes an appropriate density for the site, the proposed development would provide six two-bed units.
"All of the proposed units are high quality, of an appropriate size, have suitable access to private amenity space as well as areas of shared amenity space and are designed to ensure the properties are not adversely affected from a noise and air quality perspective.
"Importantly, the design also respects the nature of the conservation area, enhancing the appearance of the site and the conservation area as a whole."
The new building, which cars would be access via Chave Court Close, would have walls made of red brick, timber cladding, oak, aluminium and glass, and aluminium doors and windows.
There would also be parking for 15 cars.
Comments on the application can be made until Thursday, July 15.
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