A VILLAGE pub is set to be knocked down to make way for new houses, if planning permission is granted.

The former Royal Artillery Arms pub in West Huntspill has been empty for more than a year and has become an ‘eyesore’ according to the North Somerset developer behind the scheme.

David Summerell wants to build five three-bedroom homes on the Alstone Lane site.

In a planning document, he said the loss of a pub would not be felt in the area.

He said: “The Royal Artillery has a history of failed attempts at creating a profitable business and the two most recent landlords have both gone into receivership.

“Although this proposal does mean the loss of a community building, investigations show that there are a further eight public houses within a one-mile radius of this premises.

“The property has now been vacant for some 12 months and is now in a very poor state of repair and has become and eyesore.”

The plans show each home would have three parking spaces, rear gardens and cycle storage areas.

Access to and from Alstone Road will have to be altered as part of the building work. The Environment Agency said they had no concerns over the planning application – despite it being an area at risk of flooding – as long as the issue is addressed as set out in the planning application.

A consultation was held in February when the plans were first brought to light, but there were no responses.

Sedgemoor District Council officers will review the proposal before a decision regarding planning permission is made.