A NEW micropub could be opened in Chepstow.

Chepstow Town Council's planning committee will discuss the change of use application for the Old Queen's Head at its meeting this evening (14th January).

The building, adjacent to the police station on Moor Street, seeks change of use from office space to a traditional ale and cider house.

The micro pub movement has been growing in popularity since 2012 and aims to take pubs back to their traditional roots, shunning entertainment, music and food.

The inside of the public house would be just one room, and would only serve real ales and ciders, many brewed locally.

Complaints have been lodged by the neighbouring Conservative Club. Concerns regarding parking, heavy goods vehicles stopping to deliver on the narrow street and anti-social behaviour have been raised.

Jodie Young, Designing out Crime officer with Gwent Police for the area, has lodged her views about the application.

In a letter to the planning department she said: "I would like to raise the fact that the proposed premises are located within a Cumulative Impact area as defined under Home Office s182 Guidance Licensing Act 2003. This would suggest that the area is already at saturation point with licensed premises and the opening of another one, would greatly increase the risk of anti-social behaviour in the area."

The application was made by 32-year-old Glen Ellis, who is currently based at his Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) award-winning family hotel in Talgarth in the Brecon Beacons.

The first-time businessman aims to focus on traditional drinks and providing somewhere to socialise in a relaxed atmosphere.

"There is a need to go back to what pubs used to be like," said Glen.

"People have everything they need at home when it comes to sports on TV and cheap lager. I want to create somewhere for people to enjoy good quality ale and conversation.

"I'm moving away from the culture of binge drinking. It will be a venue with no jukebox or piped music, no gambling machines, no pool table or television, and no heavily discounted drink offers. Instead the emphasis will be on an excellent selection of locally produced real ales. I think these factors will make the Queens Head of little interest to younger drinkers."

The Old Queen's Head building was first opened as a pub in 1759 by Henry Pope. The Angel as it was called then, had a long garden and orchard that stretched behind the building, as well as stables accessed through the small archway.