PLANS to convert a former pub in Pill into six flats have been blocked.

In May a planning application was submitted to Newport City Council to convert the Alexandra Inn in Commercial Road into two two-bedroom flats, three with one bedroom and one studio flat.

But yesterday, Thursday, the council threw out the application, saying the development would "fail to provide adequate amenity by reason of size, poor layout and lack of outlook from a number of habitable rooms that is reasonably expected to by enjoyed by the future occupiers". Among the council's concerns were that one of the bedrooms in one of the two-bedroom flats would be completely enclosed, and have no windows.

The council also said there was a lack of evidence to justify the loss of the pub, which already contains one flat and has been closed for a number of months, as a community facility, and the flats would also be at risk of flooding.

Jayne Lewis, who lives nearby, lodged an objection to the plans, raising concerns about the apparent lack of a fire escape, and a number of other issues

"As a resident of Pill I strongly feel that we have enough flats that are not being up kept by private landlords and, although I do not wish to live next door to an empty building, I do feel very strongly about tenants moving in and no-one overseeing the calibre of their tenancy," she said.

"We have enough problems with the block of white flats opposite and are putting up with no more.

"Pill has been and is still being treated as a dumping ground."

To view the full application visit newport.gov.uk and search for 17/0458.