A BID to convert a former newsagents into a micro-pub has been rejected.

Four County Inns (Properties) Ltd lodged an application with Wiltshire Council to change the use of the old Kaiwal News shop, in Andover Road, Ludgershall into a drinking establishment.

But last week planning chiefs refused the proposal, which had already sparked criticism from residents, the town council and Councillor for Ludgershall and Perham Down, Chris Williams.

The county authority said that Four County Inns had not submitted a floor plan to show the layout of the building to indicate how it would function “within the very limited floor area of the subject building”.

It added: “The suitability of these premises to be adapted to accommodate the proposed change of use has not been adequately demonstrated.”

The council also mirrored concerns raised by a number of objectors to the scheme about the distance of the micro-pub to nearby houses.

“The site is located within close proximity to residential properties including The Mews Cottage and the flats above adjoining properties on Andover Road which creates a strong potential for the proposed use as a micro-pub to expose nearby residents to unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance at unsocial hours to the detriment of residential amenity.”

Four County Inns said the micro-pub would “diversify the range of services available to the growing local community”.

The plan would have seen the ground floor and cellar of the premises coverted from retail to a micro-pub.