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24
Aug
Plans to build three-bed home in pub car park spark controversy
The owners of a pub in Nidderdale have applied for permission to construct a three-bed home in a "largely unused part" of their car park – but there's an objection.
In a letter to the council, Cedric Bainbridge and Debbie Marshall, who own Ye Olde Oak Inn in Low Laithe, near Summerbridge, said they hoped to be able to build their retirement home in what is currently the pub's car park, and to sell the pub to a "younger person or couple".
The application says that the pub will maintain "sufficient parking space" after the completion of the development, but there has been an objection.
Objection
Allan Gauld, chairman of the Harrogate and Ripon branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the development would reduce the viability of trading at the public house, adding:
A future purchaser would be reluctant to take on a pub in a rural area with limited car parking space. Public transport in the area consists of a two-hourly bus service between 7am and 7pm, with an extra bus on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Sunday service consists of three buses in each direction.
Mr Gauld also cites the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's recently updated National Planning Policy Framework, which prevents "key community facilities" (its definition of which includes pubs) from being converted into housing.
Under the new framework, a pub can only be approved for conversion into housing if it has been for sale unsucessfully as a commercial venue for 12 months.
He pointed to the current pub trading hours as a reason to be concerned for its future, saying:
The limited trading hours and this application suggest a strategy of making the pub appear unviable and so making eventual closure and possible conversion to housing easier.
'Footfall has declined'
The pub seemingly opens for just 19 hours a week, and remains closed from Monday to Thursday.
In a letter to the council explaining the move, the owners say that "footfall has declined" over their 18-year ownership.
They also claim that "more responsible attitudes to drinking and driving" mean that the pub can afford to shrink its parking facilities from 10 to three spaces.
The pub car park, and proposed site for the new property.
Plans for the proposed property include heritage imitation roof slates to match the neighbouring properties, solar panels, and a walled garden to ensure privacy from the pub car park.
North Yorkshire Council will decide whether to accept the application.
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