PLANS for an 18th century Gwent pub to be turned into housing were this week deferred by councillors for further negotiations with the developers.

Ye Olde Tippling Philosopher, on Chepstow Road was the oldest pub in Caldicot before it closed in October 2011. Monmouthshire Council’s planning committee met yesterday to decide on the application for the Grade II-listed building to be converted into two residential homes and the modern extensions of the pub to be demolished.

As part of the plans four semi-detached houses would be built on the previous car park and the third dwelling will encompass the three remaining walls of the barn and small stable.

Enterprise Inns are the developers who have proposed that two of the houses will be affordable housing. Councillors deferred the application due to concerns of the height of unit three, which would be built on the site of the old barn and stables, due to light restriction into a neighbouring garden.

Cllr Debby Blakebrough, member for Trellech United said: “Overall the scheme is a really positive. The gap between the new unit and the neighbouring property complies with the required 21 metres.

“The neighbouring property still have their privacy with unit three but the amount of light coming into the garden will be diminished. I think this will have a negative impact on their lives.”

Caldicot Town Council have approved plans for the pub conversion but were opposed to the new properties which would overlook existing houses in Deepweir. Neighbouring properties in the Deepweir area have objected to the plans citing that plots six and seven would overlook into gardens and would impact on their privacy.

The planning committee previously deferred the application in March and plans were amended to widen the driveway to improve vehicle access to the site.