Two former Cheltenham business premises can be turned into homes.

Plans have been approved to transform the 13-bed Abbey Hotel in Bath Parade into two townhouses.

While owners of the former Horse and Groom pub, last occupied by Cheltenham Shopmobility, have been given prior approval to redevelop it into two homes.

The news comes hot on the heels of plans being revealed to turn The Bell Inn in Cheltenham into flats.

Originally built as residential dwellings in the early 19th Century, The Abbey Hotel has run as a guesthouse for more than 35 years.

Applicant Host Somerset Ltd can now forge ahead with dividing up the property which it purchased in 2022 into two homes with the garden split between the resulting properties.

The application does not propose any off-street parking but future occupiers would be eligible for the resident on-street parking permit scheme.

The original plans included a basement flat but this was removed due to an objection from the Environment Agency regarding flood risks.

A statement by SF Planning on behalf of the applicant said the onversion back into homes was "wholly appropriate and in keeping with the prevailing character of the area" and would contribute to meeting local housing needs.

A report by Cheltenham Borough Council into the decision to approve said: "The council is currently unable to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing sites, and therefore the housing supply policies in the development plan are out-of-date, and the 'tilted balance' in favour of granting planning permission is triggered."

However, bookings for rooms at the boutique hotel are still open online and the business behind it said there are currently no plans for it to close.

Anca Leru, area manager for Pineapple Town Houses, said: "The planning application gives us future flexibility should we need it.

"As a business within the hospitality industry we have learnt over the past years having options to diversify, should they be required, is key to wider business continuity."

She added:"We have no plan to close the hotel and will remain open to customers as usual. We have advised the team operating the hotel of this position."

Meanwhile Property V Homes Ltd has been granted prior approval to change the former Horse and Groom pub from business use to residential use.

The property at 30 St Georges Place already has two valid planning permissions for the extension and conversion of the building to form seven flats and prior approval to change it into two flats.

However, the current applicant states the building, currently used as offices, will not be extended. Instead it will be divided into one 139 sqm house and one 84 sqm house.

It adds: "The building is in a conservation area and is currently in poor condition. It is located at the end of a terrace with the buildings to the north and west being used as residential accommodation.

"The building already benefits from two full planning permissions (one at appeal) for conversion to residential hence it is not expected that the proposed residential conversion will not have any detrimental impact on the sustainability or character of the conservation area."