PLANS to turn an eyesore former pub into a house have been approved as the development would “ensure the building does not degrade further.”

The Prince of Wales Inn on Bowling Old Lane, opposite St Stephen’s CE Primary School, has been empty for over five years and boarded up for years, and earlier this year a Mr Ali submitted plans to convert the property into housing. He said it would “bring the building back to its original glory.”

The pub was originally a row of cottages and dates back to the early 19th century.

Planning officers have approved the application, saying: “The proposed development is considered to represent an opportunity to introduce a new viable use which will ensure this building does not degrade further and will also improve its character and setting.”