A PLAN to convert part of a former city pub and carvery into guesthouses looks to have been scrapped.

A planning application for the eyesore empty Raven Inn in Droitwich Road had been put forward by the Stonegate Pub Company which would have seen the former carvery’s ‘play barn’ converted into seven new rooms but has now been withdrawn.

The pub and restaurant closed in 2019 and the building has remained empty since.

The application referenced removing the former children’s play area and redesigning the garden for pub customers but did not confirm whether it would be re-opening.

The proposal did attract early support before being withdrawn with some neighbours saying it “made sense” and hoped it would help in the re-opening of a “sadly missed” local pub.

Other supporters said the pub had been closed for “far too long” and its “resurrection and development was welcomed and supported.”

Another backer of the plan said it had considered neighbours and green space and would readdress the “glaring omission” of a “good quality local pub” in the area.

The plan by the Stonegate Pub Company, which runs a number of pubs and bars throughout the country including Be At One and Worcester city centre’s Slug and Lettuce, proposed converting the building into seven apartments.

A covered pergola and new patio and decking with outdoor seating and lighting would also be built.

A planning application to demolish the nearby former Harvester restaurant, also in Droitwich Road, and replace it with a 78-bed care home was rejected by the city council’s planning committee last month.

The design of the proposed care home drew much criticism from councillors who called it “ugly and depressing” and “lacking imagination.”

The care home plan was also criticised for providing an “inadequate” amount of outside space for residents to enjoy.

A controversial plan to build a McDonald’s drive-thru on the site was eventually withdrawn in November 2019 after facing a wave of opposition from residents.

Hundreds of people spoke out against the plan saying a new McDonald’s should not be built near a school and would attract more litter and anti-social behaviour.