PLANS to convert a recently-closed pub building into a supermarket have been submitted.

An application proposing the change of use of the former Glassblower pub, on Boundary Road, from a public house to a local supermarket, has been put forward.

It is currently ‘awaiting decision’.

A planning support statement and retail impact assessment document has been submitted, alongside the application.

It says the change of use would introduce an opportunity to improve the street scene plus “good long-term maintenance in a more sensitive manner”.

It also highlights that a first floor flat will be retained as a residential unit, “probably to be occupied by the shop tenant but would be available for separate occupation if required”.

Furthermore, it says that the premises has remained closed since May this year and has “no prospect for reopening as a viable public house – having been closed for six of the last twelve years and requiring a significant injection of finance to relaunch a new business following essential refurbishment, whether as a public house or in a new role, serving the local community”.

“The application is to respond to the above-mentioned trading difficulties and change the use of the premises from a public house (sui generis) to a small supermarket, with a sales area of 120m² and ancillary storage areas of 78m²,” it adds.

“The supermarket proposal offers an opportunity to utilise the premises for a viable use compatible with the surrounding residential area, together with an opportunity to extinguish the failed and now inappropriate public house use.

“That would be consistent with the aims of LP Policies LPA12, LPD01 and LPD10, which seek to improve the environment and avoid loss of amenity through nuisance.

“I believe that were an application to construct a public house in this location to be made now, it would be refused on the grounds of conflict with those same policies, whereas a retail use is more compatible with adjacent shops and houses.”