A PROPERTY in Rhyl which previously housed a pub could be converted into shops and flats.

Ramandeep Kaur, of Birmingham-based planning consultants Marrons, has applied for a change of use of 19-23 Vale Road, formerly home to The Blue Moon pub.

The property has been vacant since The Blue Moon shut in March 2023.

In her application to Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee, Mrs Kaur requests a change of use to form four ground-floor commercial units, and two first-floor self-contained flats.

The building comprises three floors with the ground and first levels previously occupied by the pub, and the second floor used as storage and an additional smaller residential unit, which is currently vacant.

There are no proposals to enlarge or extend the existing building, meanwhile, and the proposed apartments would each be one-bedroom units.

Extracts from Marrons’ planning statement read: “The application offers an opportunity to improve the poor condition of the existing building and surroundings at a notable site on the approach to the town centre.

“The proposed scheme will contribute to the viability and vitality of the immediate surrounding area by providing additional shops and services at ground level through an active street frontage, and much-needed smaller residential units at first floor.”

Marrons believe the one-bedroom flats would be “attractive to a range of people”, such as first-time buyers, young professionals, or older people looking to downsize.

It added: “The proposed development would, therefore, make an important contribution towards local unmet housing need.

“Not only will the two apartments proposed at the first floor provide much-needed smaller units which the council are currently under-providing, but the proposed apartments are critical to ensuring the overall scheme is viable by partly funding the redevelopment of the vacant site, given the considerable cost implications of refurbishing the substantial property and provision of four commercial units.”

Officers at Denbighshire County Council will now consider whether to grant the proposal planning consent.

The Blue Moon shut on March 17, 2023 after “unforeseen circumstances” arose, having initially been set to change hands from the following month.

In May 2023, the property was put up for sale, with an asking price set of £324,995.