Kings Arms could be close to be turned into new homes
A popular Ottery town centre pub could close and be turned into flats if fresh proposals get the go-ahead.
An application submitted this week outlines plans to convert the Kings Arms into eight new homes, involving a complete renovation of the three-storey, grade II listed building. The submitted statement says the premises is struggling to continue as a viable business and does not generate the necessary finance to fund a programme of renovation needed to repair fire damage and restore upstairs rooms.
Permission to convert the Gold Street premises was granted in 2003, but the applicant decided at the time to continue running it as a pub.
Architect David Burley, acting as planning agent for the owner, said: “It would be a straight conversion of the pub at ground-floor and upper-floor levels. The building is in a pretty poor state.”
The applicant states that, without a change of use, the ‘upper floors will remain empty and a waste of valuable resource’. The town council will discuss the plans on Monday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here