THIS is how a historic abandoned pub could look after being transformed into new retail units and modern apartments.

The Regent in Clevedon has long been a bone of contention for those using Hill Road due to the fact it has been allowed to fall into such a bad state and masonry has been crumbling from its walls for months.

Now, ambitious plans have been submitted to North Somerset Council to bring the building, which was created in the 1870s, back into use.

This follows a deal being made earlier this year between its owner Mark Hiscox and Bristol-based firm, Freemantle Developments, to renovate the site.

The application is for the creation of two retail units at street level, on the ground floor and lower ground floor, one using the original building and one created in a new side extension.

Five one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments are planned for the rest of the development, within the original building and the new extensions, with most of them to have a balcony or terrace.

At the rear of the building, there will be 20 parking spaces and 20 cycle spaces.

Photo voltaic panels will be placed on the roof and the apartments will be created to ensure they are energy efficient.

The plans for the site have been drawn-up by O’Leary Goss Architects in Bristol.

Director Robert O’Leary said: “We propose to restore The Regent building to its former glory, retaining the shop unit and the lovely shop front at street level.

“The new additions will complement the Victorian building, using Bath stone for the facades to Hill Road and maintaining the vertical rhythm of the streetscape.”

Speaking to the Times back in May, Nick Warfield of Freemantle Developments, which is also currently renovating the Royal Pier Hotel on Clevedon’s seafront, said he aims to start work on The Regent as soon as planning permission is given for the project.