A VILLAGE pub located just ten minutes from Taunton could become new houses under plans submitted to Somerset Council.

Corfe Estates Ltd has applied to change the use of The White Hart in Corfe, which has been closed since 2020, to become two new homes.

The company also has plans to demolish the pub's skittle alley and beer store to build two more dwellings on the site.

In specifics, the existing pub building would become two, two-bedroom houses, whilst the area left after the demolition of the skittle alley would be used to build two three-bedroom houses.

The remainder of the land will be used for associated landscaping and car parking space - two per dwelling, with the exception of plot three, which will have a single 'in-curtilage' parking space.

Each parking space would also include a 7kw electric vehicle charging point.

In the planning statement, the applicant directly addressed concerns from residents regarding the loss of the local pub.

"Whilst there are some concerns regarding the ‘loss’ of the public house, the reality is that the business was not successful throughout its years of operation, and if the community intends to purchase the land to retain the public house, there is no indication that this would be successful," they wrote.

"The Proposal to bring about new homes to benefit the area and the wider local plan in terms of driving businesses in the local economy, and supporting the provision of homes for local people is the most complementary to the area."Somerset County Gazette: Changing the use of the pub would not be a 'loss' according to the applicant.Changing the use of the pub would not be a 'loss' according to the applicant. (Image: Google)

Although none of the proposed new homes would be of 'affordable' classification, the applicant stated there is no need for this, as it is not a 'major development'.

Two access options are proposed for the development - with current existing access from Pitminster Road consisting of car park access, and separate access to a 'servicing area' between the pub building and the outbuilding (former skittle alley).

If plans are approved, these two access options will be retained, but the first will be narrowed to provide six-metre width throughout its length to provide for 'better priority in vehicle access and formality of entering the site'.

Public consultation on the plans is now open, and comments on the application can be made by searching reference 12/24/0003 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.

The target decision date for the plans is Thursday, May 9.