A PLAN to convert an 18th century pub into two houses has been turned down by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The owners of The Red House pub, on London Street in Whitchurch, had submitted two applications to convert the waterhole into two houses.

The first application was for change of use of existing building from public house, restaurant and residential accommodation to two houses.

The second application was for internal alterations to the building to enable conversion of the pub to houses.

The first application was rejected in a development control committee meeting on July 6. The decision on the second application was deferred for a later meeting for the officers to submit a full report.

READ MORE: Council reject plans to convert The Red House in Whitchurch into two homes

At a meeting of the committee on Wednesday, August 11, councillors rejected the plan following a recommendation by planning officers.

In their recommendations, a planning officer said there was no planning basis for a residential use of the building.

A report to the committee said: “The fact that the building has been in continuous use as a public house since at least the late 18th century makes a significant contribution to its historic interest, and this use, which is considered a viable use, would be lost as a result of the proposal.

“The proposed change of use to two private dwellings would also permanently restrict public access to the spaces that justify the building’s architectural and historic interest, which are of national significance. There would therefore be harm in undermining the evidential role the asset currently plays in a wider public understanding of our past.”

The owners of the pub had previously been given permission to build three houses on the pub’s car park and beer garden areas. It was approved after the owners convinced the council that the houses will help the business.

However, it was permanently closed in 2018 after the owners announced that the pub will “temporarily close for a refurbishment” as it was “losing money every week".

SEE ALSO: Whitchurch pub seeks permission to convert into houses

It was also put up on the market before that for £475,000.

There was also an attempt from the residents to save the building by buying it and running it as a community pub, but their efforts were in vain.

Following this, the owners came up with the plan to convert it into houses.