PLANS have been submitted to create eight new apartments at a closed Craven Arms pub.

The proposal from Base Architecture is for the first and second floors of the Craven Arms to be converted, with the ground floor remaining as a pub. 

"The existing first floor forms the management accommodation/office, guest rooms and bathrooms," reads the design and access statement.

"There is evidence that the existing interior spaces have been modified over time, with a level change present at the junction between the two-storey and three-storey elements.

"The existing second floor is accessed by a staircase that connects from the first-floor of the south wing and comprises a series of smaller rooms accessed from a long corridor, which were likely used as additional hotel accommodation. 

"The existing appearance of The Craven Arms Hotel demonstrates a number of traditional features, particularly within the south and east wings.

"The modern additions are principally focussed to the rear of the site and have sought to provide a reference to the traditional features through the inclusion of glazing bars and a materiality that seeks to tie into the existing."

The statement adds that careful consideration was given to the existing fabric to retain and enhance any remaining heritage value present within the building. 

"As a former public house and hotel, The Craven Arms would be considered as a local community asset and the impact of any changes to its use must be carefully understood," it says.

"As the building is now vacant and the public house/hotel function has been closed for a period of at least two years, it would not be anticipated that a change of use would cause a detrimental impact to the local community.

"There are also a number of community assets within 400m of the site, including two public houses, namely, The Stables Inn and The Stokesay Inn and B&B."

It is anticipated that the application will be decided on December 28.