PEOPLE in a Newport village are campaigning to save a pub which is under threat of demolition.

Derek Prosser is applying to demolish the Drovers Arms on Goldcroft Common and to rebuild the site as two shops and two flats.

But the plans have attracted opposition from members of the Caerleon and District Civic Society, who fear the character of the common could be under threat if the building, which they think may be more than 200 years old, is demolished.

Bob Trett, who is from the village and is a member of the Caerleon and District Civic Society, said the building resides on a medieval Caerleon common.

He said he had discovered a map of the common with a survey showing a cottage with the same footprint as the Drovers from 1752.

“It could mean that the Drovers is one of the oldest buildings in Caerleon,” he said.

“If you look at Goldcroft Common there’s houses of different shapes and sizes. What they are proposing is to continue the roof lines of the house next door - it will look decidedly odd,” he added.

Chairwoman of the society Liz Luck said the new development wouldn’t add to the village’s conservation area: “Caerleon is meant to be the jewel in Newport’s Crown. It’s part of the fabric and history of Caerleon.”

The civic society had no problem with previously approved plans to turn the building into a house and two flats, she added, but in that case the developer had planned to keep the facade.

Derek Prosser, who is acting on behalf of the owner of the building but who would not reveal his or her name, said the application was made as an alternative to what has already been approved.

He said he appreciates the civic society is entitled to its view but said the new building would have similar architecture to others nearby.

Newport council's is due to make a decision on the proposal later this year.