THE Hostry Inn at Llantilio Crossenny is the latest to apply to Monmouthshire County Council for change of use from a pub to residential.
In a statement owner Mr Mike Parker said: "After nearly 16 years happily running and renovating The Hostry, Pauline and I have reluctantly decided (after taking expert advice) to apply for planning permission for change of use to residential.
"We are not going to close for some time, even if this is granted.
"We bought The Hostry for more than £120,000 in 1985 and have spent more than £70,000 in essential repairs over 15 years.
"During this time our turnover and profitability has reduced year on year and our costs, especially our business rates, have increased year on year. In 1989 our business rates and refuse collection charges were a reasonable 8.6% compared to our net profit, but last year this figure had risen to 86.2%. It seems we are just working to pay our business rates and have our bin emptied.
"We had The Hostry professionally valued last week and were told its worth as a going concern is about half of what is being asked for the bungalow that is for sale next door.
"Sometime in the next eight years I will retire. I will not be able to afford to see The Hostry as a going concern and buy somewhere in Llantilio Crossenny.
"We will have two choices. If we have planning permission for residential use when I retire we should be able to sell The Hostry for a more reasonable price and buy somewhere smaller and still live locally, giving a younger family the chance to continue to run The Hostry.
"If we do not get planning permission for change of use we will have no choice other than to close The Hostry and enjoy our retirement in the house we have grown to love."
The application was submitted to the County Council last week.