PLANS to turn a Flintshire pub into a convenience store have been refused.

An application had been submitted to Flintshire Council to the turn The Hand Inn, in Gwernaffield, near Mold, into a shop.

The pub closed in 2018, and there were fears that the village had lost its last pub forever. It re-opened in March 2019 after refurbishment before closing again early last year.

The proposal description reads: "Change of use from disused public house to a convenience store with off licence and new larger flat roof extension to front/side replacing existing extension and new signage."

The applicant, Arulshanthan Arulampalam, said in an application form: "It was once the hub of the community. But due to a decline of the brewery business and the effects of people's behaviour since Covid the site is no longer in use as a public house, hence the reason it has closed for many years.

"So to rejuvenate the site and construct a much needed convenience store within the area is a project that would be greatly welcomed by the public and residents, providing a valuable addition to the neighbourhood."

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There were objections to the plans from Gwernaffield and Pantymwyn Community Council, as well 10 local residents.

And the plans have now been rejected by Flintshire Council's planning department.

A decision notice, issued on Tuesday (June 11), states: "In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal would lead to a reduction in parking provision and would result in additional vehicles parking on the highway to the detriment of highway safety and the free flow of traffic and would adversely affect the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.

"The proposed scale and design of the flat roof extension would have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the existing building and on the historic character of the adjacent traditional church and Grade II Listed church gates."