Pub conversion decision delayed
Councillors have delayed a decision on plans to convert a former rural pub into a five bedroom home after concerns were raised the community would lose a meeting place.
The application for The New Inns on Kiddemore Green Road, between Brewood and Bishops Wood, was recommended for approval by council officers ahead of South Staffordshire Council’s planning committee meeting on December 17.
But committee members instead voted to defer their decision, to allow further information to be provided by the applicant, after hearing concerns had been raised about the proposed loss of the pub facility.
John Nolan, in an objection submitted to South Staffordshire Council, said: “We moved to an idyllic location in the immediate proximity of the New inns public house, not the New Inns House
“One factor taken into consideration when moving close to the public house was the fact that we could enjoy a nice drink in a Chocolate Box style country pub of an evening and weekend well within walking distance. We, like many other locals were under the impression that the pub would definitely remain a pub and be re-opening as a pub in the very near future, to be told that this was not the case was heart-breaking news.
“Our small community needs a local meeting place where we can relax and discuss the days events without the need to drive miles that defeats the object. Too many public houses are being shut down in villages and it is a crying shame.”
Another objector, Philip Holloway, said: “There has been no attempt whatsoever to re-open the New Inns even though a licence was applied for. This pub was a very valuable asset to the local community and has a long record of being perfectly viable if managed well.
“As a freehouse, without the massive overheads associated with the large pub companies, it would have a bright future. We have already lost too many country pubs to developers under the pretence of non viability, please do not let us lose this one.”
But a statement submitted to South Staffordshire Council in support of the application said: “The public house was closed in 2016 due to a lack of trade and was considered by the operator – Marston’s Brewery – and owner to be unviable.
“Marston’s note that the property was isolated and unviable to justify its retention as a public house. The property was subsequently sold following a period of marketing in October 2017.
“During this time we understand that there were no offers from any other party for an alternative community use of the property or service based in the building. The local population has access to a number of other public houses that will fulfil local need.
“Within the vicinity of the site the Oakley Arms is located within 600m away. In Brewood there are three public houses; The Three Stirrups, The Bridge Inn and The Lion Hotel. The Royal Oak is situated in Bishops Wood 2.24km (1.39 miles) away from the site.”
