A government planning inspector has rejected a plan to convert the Half Moon Inn at Sharow into a house.
The pub on Sharow Lane opened in 1822 but closed in 2016.
Mark Fitton, owner of the pub, lodged a plan to convert the former pub into a house in March last year.
However, Harrogate Borough Council refused the proposal on the grounds that “insufficient evidence” had been submitted to demonstrate that no community use existed for the property.
Mr Fitton took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, the body that deals with planning disputes.
However, Susan Hunt, a government planning inspector, turned down the plan on the grounds that there was a “reasonable prospect” of the facility continuing on a viable basis.
Ms Hunt said in a decision notice that while a plan by residents group, Half Moon Pup Group’s, to save the facility was in its infancy, it represented a “reasonable prospect” of making the pub viable.
She said:
“Overall whilst the HMPG’s business plan is in its infancy, from what I have seen and heard regarding their intentions I am satisfied that there is a reasonable prospect of the continuation of the existing public house use.”
Read more:
- Residents call for Sharow pub reinstatement after latest council rejection
- Council upholds listing Sharow pub as asset of community value
Mr Fitton had challenged the council’s decision on the grounds that there was evidence to demonstrate that “no community use exists for this property”.
The decision comes as Harrogate Borough Council upheld a decision to allocate the Half Moon Inn as an asset of community value in February this year.
The council awarded the pub asset of community value status in November 2022 following a campaign by local residents and the parish council to keep the venue open.
