PLANS for housing on the site of a former landmark pub in Newport could be approved next week.

A proposal to build 10 homes on the site of the former Centurion pub in St Julians has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The development would consist of 100 per cent affordable housing, with six two-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses.

The pub, once a focal point of the community, has been vacant for some time with attempts to find another operator unsuccessful.

A planning report says the loss of a community facility is 'regrettable', but it adds the lack interest from recent marketing and long-term vacancy shows it is 'unlikely' to be used as a pub again.

One objection, from the St Julians and Beechwood Conservative Group, was lodged in response to the plans.

Concerns were raised by the group over ‘child road safety’, with worries more housing in Heather Road would increase traffic on a stretch of road which is already ‘notoriously bad.’

An online petition calling to 'Save the Cent' has also been signed by some 681 people, the group adds.

South Wales Argus:

Protesters outside The Centurion in Newport after developers bought the pub to build houses.

"This is the last pub in the Beechwood Ward, which has a population of over 7600 people," the objection states.

"It is a community asset that needs saving.

"It is shockingly bad that Beechwood will have no public houses, no social clubs, no bars and just one café left."

However council highways officers have not raised concerns over traffic.

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"Whilst the objections are duly noted, the council would not be able to show a demonstrable harm in terms of highway safety arising from the proposed development given the fall-back use of the site and the scale of the development," a report adds.

The report says the development of the site for affordable housing has "significant merit" as there is "considerable demand" in the area.

"The proposals would also see the redevelopment of a prominent site which has recently been subject to anti-social behaviour," it adds.

Fourteen parking spaces would be provided as part of the development, which meets the council's required standards.

A separate application allowing for the former pub to be demolished has already been approved by the council.

The plans will be decided by Newport council 's planning committee on Wednesday.