PLANS to turn a former pub into a B&B are expected to be refused at a meeting tonight.

Vale of White Horse District Council's planning committee will consider an application to turn The Plough in Little Coxwell, near Faringdon, into an eight-room bed and breakfast business.

The change of use has been recommended for refusal by council officers, however.

READ AGAIN: The Plough pub set to become bed & breakfast

A report compiled for councillors ahead of tonight's meeting, which takes place at 6.30pm at The Beacon in Wantage, said the plans constitute a 'large development in the open countryside'.

The pub closed in 2005 but planning officers said in their report: "No evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the existing public house use is no longer economically viable, nor has it been demonstrated that all reasonable efforts have been made to sell or let the property as a public house on the open market at a realistic price."

Little Coxwell Parish Council had no objection to the plans, nor did neighbours as the council said no letters of representation were received.

The council's equalities officer did object as it said 'there does not appear to be any provision made for disabled customers, other than accessible parking'.

A previous planning application for the development of a larger 10-room B&B was withdrawn in 2017 and an application for an eight-room B&B was withdrawn in the summer of 2018, and amended based on advice from planners.

Documents submitted by the applicants state the current plans would have a 'significant positive impact in bringing back into use a building which closed its doors in 2005'.