Campaigners' victory in battle to save landmark Cannock pub

Councillors went against district planning officers' recommendations to approve the development and instead backed campaigners who have fought to save the Pied Piper on Pye Green Road.

Wolverhampton brewery Marston's, put the pub up for sale after saying it was no longer commercially viable and plans were lodged by HB Village Developments to build 16 flats and two bungalows on the site for people with physical and learning disabilities.

But the plans were rejected by 10 councillors at a planning control meeting held by Cannock Chase Council on Wednesday, after councillors heard objections from residents who have successfully registered the pub as a community asset and have told the authority they want to buy it.

Campaigner Phil Dempster said: "It is not just a pub, it brings the community together. It is a base for charity events, clubs and provides a social place for many. It would be sorely missed. This is a facility that is greatly needed and greatly loved and that has been proven by the number of objections."

Councillors threw out the plans for a two-storey building comprising eight flats for adults with learning disabilities and eight adapted apartments for those with physical disabilities. The plans also featured a staff office with overnight accommodation.

Councillor George Alcott said: "No one on this committee is against this type of facility in the area but this is not the right place." Councillor Maureen Freeman praised the campaigners and said: "The people who use this pub have worked extremely hard to turn it around and they should be applauded for thinking ahead."

Councillor Frank Allen added: "I remember the pub being built in the late 1950s and it upsets me. The fact that it has been deemed a community asset says it all and I am not going to put my name to any application that will see the closure of a community asset."

Campaigners now have six months to raise the cash. However, under the new law, the brewery is not obliged to sell it to the group and others are open to bid for it.

Alastair Sheehan, from HB Villages said the company would look to appeal. He said: "We have a duty to deliver this badly-needed accommodation for vulnerable adults and may be forced to appeal because we do not have the financial resources to simply walk away. We have already invested £60,000 plus in costs and the recommendations were to approve the plans.

"We are still the only organisation to take an interest in this site and Marston's want to dispose of it."