A HISTORIC grade II-listed pub with a 'chequered past' could be transformed into short-stay holiday lets with a caravan park and cafe if plans are approved by the council.

The Punch Bowl Inn, near Hurst Green, in the Ribble Valley, ceased operating as a business four years ago and has since been the target for break-ins and vandalism.

Applications have twice previously been submitted to transform the old pub, but both times plans have been withdrawn before a decision was made.

Alongside well-believed rumours that the venue is haunted, the Longridge Road venue also has past which is thought to date back to the 1700s, when it was visited by highway man Dick Turpin.

In plans submitted for the holiday site, a spokesperson for the Donelan Trading Company who submitted the plans said: “The Punch Bowl Inn has had a chequered past over the last ten years. It has been a public house, an Indian restaurant and a public house again, but it has now been empty for some four years.

“This property has no future as a public house or restaurant as there are two existing businesses three quarters of a mile to the East in Hurst Green and it has been extensively reported that many public houses are struggling financially and are closing all over the country.

“However, as this site is located in the Ribble Vally, close to various areas of countryside used for leisure pursuits, a demand for short-term holiday accommodation and weekend holiday lodge accommodation has been identified."

The new scheme could see the building and surrounding areas converted into a cafe, five holiday let apartments and 15 pitches for static caravans.

Donelan Trading company also said they expect the holiday park to 'encourage leisure visits to the area, compliment excisting businesses in Hurst green and provide some sort of income for businesses in the wider area.'