A FORMER pub could be turned into apartments.

Councillors will consider an application to turn the Holywell Inn on Stainland Road, Elland, into five one-bed apartments.

Council planners recommended it for approval.

Six letters of objection and a petition were submitted with concerns including the loss of the pub as a community facility and insufficient parking. They also raised concerns that the pub was never advertised as ‘to let’ to bring it back into use.

Almost 250 people signed a petition opposing the plan.

The Holywell Inn ceased trading in January 2012 and agents for Ernest Wilson & Co Ltd listed it for sale to “commercially minded clients”.

There were five viewings and two parties were interested in purchasing the property for the purpose of a residential conversion.

In the planning report the agent for Ernest and Wilson states: “In my considered opinion and knowledge of the current market I feel this property is no longer suitable for a commercial use and any person attempting to re-establish a public house in this location would be doomed to fail.”

It will be considered by councillors on Tuesday at Halifax Town Hall.