A housing developer who bought a Maple Cross pub, plans to only “partially demolish” the locally listed building.

In April the Watford Observer reported how The Cross, in Denham Way, was sold to Clearview Homes Ltd.

Plans have now been submitted by the developer to Three Rivers District Council, to build 12 new homes on the site.

The scheme calls for the partial demolition of the pub, to convert it into three homes, with nine small terraced houses and car parking built on the land nearby.

English Heritage concluded on June 15 this year that the building was not of special architectural or historic interest, and did not merit listing.

The pub, however, is subject to a Three Rivers District Council Building Preservation Notice, which means that although it is of local interest, it has no statutory protection.

In a design and access statement, Clearview Homes said The Cross had been on the market for a year, but nobody had offered to to run it as a pub.

The report also said that despite although maintaining the building would present economic and planning problems, Clearview Homes intended to only demolish the more modern part of the pub.

The 12 houses will comprise 11 two-bedroom units and a studio, and there will be on-site parking for 19 vehicles.

The council’s development control committee will rule on the application later in the year.