Plans have been submitted for five new homes on land next to an historic former pub in Welwyn Garden City.

The application, submitted by John Stylianou of Style Building Services, proposes the building of five new homes off Beehive Lane, with associated access, car parking and amenity space.

A small building on the land would be demolished as part of the plans, with the development sitting next to the former Beehive pub.

The building that used to house The Beehive is Grade II-listed and dates back to the early 17th century.

Punters were left disappointed when the pub closed after almost 40 years of business in mid-2016, with Cooper's Grill House taking over until 2020 when that also closed.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The grade II listed building that was formerly home to The Beehive.The grade II listed building that was formerly home to The Beehive. (Image: Google Maps)

Today, the building stands vacant and is not part of the application submitted.

Some nearby residents have objected to the development, with one citing a lack of provision for a number of birds that feature on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, as well as bats that live in the area.

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"The plan does not seem to contain any proposals for biodiversity enhancements," they wrote. 

"The development would benefit from the inclusion of integrated Swift bricks and bat boxes within the fabric of the buildings.

"Swift bricks provide nest cavities for a number of species including four red-listed species, the Swift, House Martin, House Sparrow and Starling.

"For this development, I would suggest that Swift bricks be grouped together on the north eastern facing elevation of the most northerly house, high under the eaves away from windows."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Residents have raised concerns about a loss of parking caused by the development.Residents have raised concerns about a loss of parking caused by the development. (Image: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

Another objected to the loss of parking spaces, as the plans propose the removal of a lay-by, with the resident saying: "I object to the reduction of the lay-by along Beehive Lane.

"This would remove five spaces, but according to the parking survey there are plenty of spaces in the surrounding roads which can be used.

"The surrounding roads are always full and the lay-by is used by residents adjacent to the hospital, hospital visitors and workers. Where are these going to park?

"Beehive Lane and Moorlands are already full and visitors to my house already struggle to park outside our property."