PLANS to turn a village pub into 13 new homes could be approved next week despite a campaign to save it.

Almost 600 names were added to a petition calling for the survival of the Bay Horse at Barlby, alongside a Facebook appeal for it to stay open, after its owners Enterprise Inns applied to Selby District Council for permission to demolish it to make way for housing.

The proposals will be debated by the authority’s planning committee on Wednesday and officials have said they should be approved.

The campaign for the Bay Horse to be saved was launched by manager Alyson Griffith, who said it was being turned around and business was increasing.

CAMRA has said the demolition of the pub would be a sad loss for the area. Enterprise said it was reviewing its options for the site and submitting the planning application for housing was part of this process.

In September, the company said no firm decisions about the pub’s future had been made.

Barlby and Osgodby Parish Council has said the plans would be overdevelopment of the York Road site and raised concerns that more homes in the area and increasing pressure on the local sewer system could exacerbate flooding problems.

It also said it would generate more traffic on York Road.

However, North Yorkshire County Council highways officers said there were no roads issues connected to the scheme, although Enterprise would have to pay for a bus stop outside the Bay Horse to be moved.

As well as the petition, 13 objection letters have been sent to the council, with some saying the pub is an important village hub and hosts charity events as well as being a base for local sports teams.

A report by council planning officer Louise Milnes said the homes would have between two and six bedrooms.

She said: “The scheme could provide an appropriate type of accommodation which is reflective of the area and will assist in ensuring a mixed community.”

Three of the homes would be affordable housing, and the report said the plans were “acceptable” in terms of roads, flooding and drainage issues.