PLANS have been lodged for sweeping transformations to a former Newport pub which has stood empty for the past decade.

Cheryl Davies and Melanie Duggan bought the former Church House Inn, in Stow Hill, at auction for £45,000, and now plan to turn it into five flats and a cafe or bar, as well as a commercial space.

Applicants LRJ Planning Ltd have filed plans with the city council to "ensure a vibrant reuse of the building that has been vacant for over 10 years" and become "run down" and "a target for anti-social behaviour".

READ MORE: Former Newport city centre pub set to go under the hammer

New plans for a "mixed-use scheme" would involve the renovation of the existing building, and the opening of a cafe or bar within "the main part of the ground floor".

There would also be a separate "commercial unit", as well as five flats at the rear and in the upstairs part of the building.

"The mix of one and two bedroom flats will increase the range and choice of housing in this edge of city centre location," the applicants said in planning documents.

Meanwhile, the cafe or bar will "retain a substantial commercial element within the main frontage onto Stow Hill, to ensure a vibrant frontage and encourage increased footfall within the local centre".

The applicant notes the premises is close to an existing bus route, and any changes to the building would be "sensitive" and "preserve the character and setting of the [St Woolos] Conservation Area".

If the plans get the go-ahead, the applicant would build two one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats "to create an active and lively community at the site".

Three off-street parking spaces would be provided, but the applicant is proposing the development is "car-free" and promotes walking and cycling.

Planning documents note the proximity to the city centre and railway station, and a a bike store has been proposed for the rear of the property.

The applicant said the proposal to convert the old Church House Inn "would deliver significant socio-economic benefits through the creation of a vibrant commercial reuse of the property that has been vacant for 10 years, as well delivering much-needed homes".

Stow Hill councillor, Kate Thomas, said: “I’m sure everybody in the ward is pleased to see that it could get a new lease of life. It will be great to see it used and it’s always a council’s aim to create housing.”

The proposed opening hours for the café/bar are from 8am until 11pm Monday to Thursday; from 8am until midnight Friday and Saturday, and from 10am until 11am on Sunday.

The external staircase at the back of the building will be removed if the plans are approved.

The planning application is currently available to view on the Newport City Council website, with reference 22/0762.

  • Additional reporting by Rhiannon James - Local Democracy Reporter.