ANOTHER former Worcester pub could be turned into residential use after lying empty for almost three years.

The Berwick Arms, Bath Road, has been closed since early 2011 but plans that have just been submitted outline a scheme to convert part of the building into a four-bedroomed home.

Plans have already been approved for three, two-bedroomed terraced houses on the site.

The news came in the same week as Berkeley Homes was granted planning permission to turn Armstrong House, on the Waterside development near Diglis, from restaurant use into six apartments.

And back in June, developer Unique Housing was given approval to convert the Arboretum Inn in Northfield Street, Worcester, into five self-contained flats.

Applicant Peter Styles has submitted plans for the Berwick Arms.

“The Berwick public house has been proven to be uneconomical and there is an excess provision of public houses in the area within a five-to-10 minute walking distance,” he said in planning documents submitted to the Worcester City Council.

“Indeed, nationally there has been a change in drinking habits with more different types of establishment such as nightclubs, wine bars, bistros and people buying alcohol from supermarkets and drinking at home or at friends.

“There has been a steady decline in public houses over the last 30 years and nationally three to five pubs are closing a day.

“There would be no loss of community faculties with the redevelopment of the Berwick pub house as the community does not use the public house as it has become unviable to operate.”

Berkeley Homes said that Armstrong House was unsuitable for restaurant use as it was not a recognised restaurant location.

It had no passing evening trade and too many floors for an eatery.

On the Arboretum change of use, Unique Housing said: “If there was sufficient need and interest in retaining the commercial/community use of the pub, the property would have been back in use by now.”

A decision on the Berwick Arms application should be made by mid-October.