Once one of the Stroud Valley's prized breweries, now a historic Grade II-listed site, could be transformed into 13 flats.

Glenfast Properties Ltd hopes to convert the once bustling Cotswold-stoned Nailsworth Brewery site dating back to the 1850s with the help of Tetbury architects Verity & Beverley.

It is a property which comes with all the complications you would expect - including the need for a survey into its population of horseshoe bats.

And the London-based developer's application to Stroud District Council comes with a fascinating look at the history of the site, including drawings of the site in its heyday, headlined Heritage Collective.

Barnard's Noted Breweries of Great Britain & Ireland, published 1889-91, described two Gloucestershire malthouses as having asphalt floors, shuttered windows, and ceilings supported by iron columns.

"They comprise two malthouses built on opposite sides of a yard, and connected by a bridge at each end. Messrs Clissold have spared no expense in the erection and fitting up of these buildings, and they contain every new appliance for screening barley and malt, and for the accomplishment of a perfect result in the growth and drying of malt," said Barnard's.

The report adds: "Alterations were carried out to the site around 1883; a reference in the Brewer's Journal mentions work being undertaken by Messrs H. Stopes and Co, which included being 'engaged in and adapting to their plans the malthouses and kilns of Messrs Clissold & Sons, Nailsworth'."

If these most recent plans go ahead parking would increase from 14 to 16 spaces and the development would feature three one-bedroomed flats and 10 two bedroomed flats.

There is already one two bedroomed house, four three bedroomed houses and one four-plus bedroomed house on the site.

As for the bats, a report was carried out by James Johnston Ecology (JJE) on behalf of the site owner and it points out "all British bat species and their roost sites are fully protected from 'intentional' and 'reckless' harm and disturbance, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA)1981 (as amended 1985 and 2000), and the Conservation Regulations 2017".

It adds: "A similar residential conversion scheme was consented in 2007, for which supporting bat appraisal work was also conducted by JJE, but unfortunately the financial crisis hit at that time and the building conversion work was not implemented.

"This report concludes that with the mitigation strategy followed, the proposed residential re-development/conversion at The Maltings, Nailsworth, will cause no significant ecology impacts; No loss of bat roosts or reductions in numbers of roosting bats at the site; No unlawful disturbance to nesting birds; And, no adverse impacts to any other legally protected species, or to any designated wildlife site."