A LENGTHY battle to convert a village pub and restaurant into new homes has been reignited again having already been rejected three times.

Part of the Wagon Wheel pub and restaurant in Grimley near Worcester would be demolished to make way for two news homes under resubmitted plans despite the council rejecting similar proposals several times in the last couple of years.

An application by owners Giuseppe and Julie Giuliano to build three homes on the land was rejected by Malvern Hills District Council more than two years ago over fears it would result in the village losing a valuable facility that would not be replaced if it closed.

The owners, who have run the Wagon Wheel for more than three decades and have been trying to sell since 2014, had looked to have the decision overturned by the government's planning inspectorate but despite a hearing ruling that the restaurant was not a 'community asset' it still threw out the appeal saying there was a risk of flooding and the homes would not fit in with the rest of the village.

Reaction to the plan has been mixed with many residents objecting to the village losing a pub and restaurant for homes.

However, several other objectors to previous plans said they were not against the pub being converted into housing but opposed the design.

A statement included in the planning application said: “The present owners of the Wagon Wheel have built the business since their ownership began over 31 years ago.

“They are experienced restaurateurs and the Wagon Wheel has operated successfully as a restaurant but not as a traditional pub.

“Very little trade has been achieved from the pub/drinks side of the business.

“In recent years the restaurant trade has also suffered as a result of the growth in the sector of chain pubs offering discounted food.

“Mr and Mrs Giuliano are now of retirement age and have sought to sell the business actively since 2014.”

The latest application can be viewed via the planning section of Malvern Hills District Council’s website.

The application number is 20/01985/FUL.

Public consultation ends on August 31.