Battle brews as Green Man Pub under threat over Co-op shop plans
Controversial plans to demolish a landmark pub in Staffordshire have sparked a last-ditch appeal to save it from the bulldozers.
The Green Man in Hixon could be flattened and a Co-op built along with three houses under plans submitted to Stafford Borough Council.
However some neighbours and Hixon Parish Council are rallying against the loss of the pub in Lea Road, which they say has historical significance.
They also claim it will lead to increased traffic.
Now Hixon Parish Council is now calling on residents to dig deep and help fund a community pub at the site in order to save The Green Man.
It has sent out surveys asking people if they would be willing to support an appeal with the results to be discussed at a crunch meeting at at Hixon Memorial Hall next Tuesday at 7.30pm.
One comment on the planning application from a resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The village does not require more retail outlets and we certainly have more than enough housing.
"The building itself is of historical significance to the village. The infrastructure is lacking in the village for the certain increase of traffic this would bring.”
Another said: “The Green Man is a well-used, well-loved local public house, and since the purchase of the Bank House by the Lewis Partnership, it is also the only independent Free House in the village.”
The pub has been there since the mid-19th century but the owner wants to sell it on. If these plans get the green light, it would create 20 jobs.
Ward Councillor Alan Perkins said: “I am concerned about the increase in traffic but we will have to see what Highways say. If people say it is a community hub then why do people not use it?”
