A BEER garden in Petersfield could be transformed into a small housing development if the landlord of The Drum, on Chapel Street, gets the green light for his new plans.

A planning application for a mix of eight one and two-bedroom two-storey homes, some with rooms in the roof, have been submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority.

The latest plans follow detailed consultation with planning officers following the withdrawal of previous proposals for seven new homes.

Submitted by Privett-based developers The Hawkins Canty Partnership, plans have been redesigned, say the developers, "to provide a more traditional form of development, with no parking underneath" as previously included.

The lower and more traditional design will, they claim, reflect its proximity to the conservation area of Petersfield.

The land which once formed a large open space at the rear of the pub has now been cordoned off and is unused by the public.

The site lies outside Petersfield conservation area but is shown as being within an area of potential archaeological interest, say the developers.

Simon Hawkins transformed the run-down hostelry on Chapel Street into a thriving real-ale pub last year.

Petersfield Town Council objected to a previous application on the grounds that it was too big for the plot and were against the loss of green space in the town.

The Petersfield Society, the town's watchdog on development, also raised concerns.