PLANS to transform a closed Romsey pub into a "high-quality restaurant" with over ten bed and breakfast rooms could be given the green light.

A planning application has been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council to add 12 bed and breakfast rooms to the rear of the Dukes Head, Greatbridge Road, as part of an extension.

If approved, guests would be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the public house as part of the bed and breakfast.

The application, submitted by Alfi Blue Limited, also looks to offer 50 car parking spaces for guests.

Cllr Nick Adams-King, who represents Blackwater on the borough council, said: "I had a briefing on this before Christmas and I think it is a great idea to revitalise the pub.

"It has been empty for a long time and one of the men who have bought it recently refurbished the Four Horseshoes in Nursling.

"The pub has a chequered history, but the plans they have for it seem both exciting and sensible.

"I am afraid they will run into problems with the letting rooms because of the nitrate issues, but that will be a temporary issue until we can sort that out."

He added: "Romsey is short of hotel accommodation and anything that brings people to the area to spend money must be good for us all."

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: "I am in favour of anything that creates more beds for visitors to Romsey.

"The thought of having having more people opening bed and breakfasts is exciting because it allows visitors to see our lovely Test Valley.

"There have been so many people trying to get the Dukes Head to flourish, but nobody has gone for the bed and breakfast option.

"It was a traditional pub and I would not have thought there was a lot of accommodation, so the only option would be to build on it."

A spokesperson from Alfi Blue Limited said: "The pub is in dire need of significant investment if this historic and important community asset is to be retained.

"The intention is to refurbish and renovate the existing building to make it an attractive location for customers to visit.

"As such, the emphasis will be on providing a friendly environment and high-quality restaurant."

They added: "The scheme also seeks to provide a two-storey building to the rear of the site to be provided as 12 bed and breakfast letting rooms.

"This will provide an additional source of income so as to help ensure that the viability of the Dukes Head is maintained.

"A link extension will be provided between the public house and proposed building so as to provide convenient access between the two."