Plans to transform vacant pub accommodation off Stroud High Street into seven studio flats

A developer has submitted a planning application with Stroud District Council to renovate the residential area of the empty Swan Inn just off the High Street.

Onion Properties Ltd wants to turn the second and third storeys of the building into a group of bedrooms with communal kitchens and living rooms.

There are also plans to fit the new seven-bedroom house off Swan Lane with solar panels.

The ground floor of the pub will be separated and kept available for let for commercial uses, such as shops.

The building adjoins the Woodruffs Organic Café and lies opposite the Jrool Bistro in narrow pedestrianised Union Street, right in the heart of the town centre.

A planning statement from the developer said the refurbished property would add to the “viability and vitality” of the town centre.

It added that due to its proximity to shops and services, it would reduce the need for occupants to drive.

Raul, the owner of Woodruffs, said: “This has been an ongoing problem in Stroud for a few years. The pub was relaunched in 2010 and was then sold off at auction two years ago.

“As it is right next door to us we did consider buying it. But it’s a complete labyrinth inside so quite difficult property to develop. There isn’t much storage space.

“I would welcome them making the residential area into affordable housing or something like that.

“It would be good to see the ground floor used a two separate units for shops or something that would benefit the town.

“To be honest almost anything would be better than what it is now. Any business that is left shut for that long isn’t good for the High Street. It gives a bad image.

“Another thing is that there are a couple of stalls that use that space for the farmer’s market so we’d have to wait and see what happened there.”

For more information please visit Stroud District Council planning website and search reference S.17/0020/FUL