Plans by developers to turn a Somerset town's disused pub into houses have been thrown out after locals said people were interested in bringing it back into use.

The Tyning Inn in Radstock closed down in 2021 and, in October this year, Admiral Taverns Ltd submitted a planning application to turn it into housing. They said, in a planning statement submitted with their application: "It is apparent that the popularity of the pub and its value to the community has reduced over recent years to the point at which it has been forced to close."

They added that there was no scope for alternate uses for the nineteenth century pub and there had been no interest from other operators in taking it on. Admiral Taverns therefore proposed converting it into a terrace of three two-bedroom homes, and building six homes across its beer garden.

But locals challenged their claims. Among the 65 people who submitted objections to the plans were several who said they knew people interested in taking on the pub.

Planning officers at Bath and North East Somerset Council added that the marketing of the pub, which had been submitted as evidence of the lack of interest by Admiral Taverns, was "unreliable" as it had started in March 2020 when the first lockdown began and pubs were closed.

The council also warned that the plans to build six homes on the beer garden were "out of keeping with the character of the area." Houses had recently been built just downhill from the beer garden, but officers said: "The residential encroachment from below is not a justification for more development but actually amplifies the value of the green space that has not been built on."

Planning permission for the plans was refused, with officers citing that the development would mean the "loss of a valued community facility."