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12
Oct 2023
Fresh plan submitted to convert part of Kirkby Malzeard pub into housing
A fresh planning application to convert part of a vacant Kirkby Malzeard pub has been submitted.
The Henry Jenkins Inn, near Ripon, has been at the centre of a long-standing battle between residents and developers over the years.
Now, developer Justin Claybourn, who already owns the eastern annexe of the site, wants to convert redundant outbuildings at the site into a holiday cottage.
The application, which was submitted in August by Jennifer Hubbard Town Planning Consultant, outlines the details of the proposed house – including one bedroom and one bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area.
Mr Claybourn also hopes to reduce the existing ten car parking spaces down to four, as well developing a garden and patio around the building.
Access to the building would be from Main Street via an existing pedestrian and vehicular access across land already owned by Mr Claybourn, it adds.
In a cover letter, the agent said the applicant and his family have “long standing connections with the area".
A decision has not been made about the application yet, but it has proved unpopular with local residents.
One resident commented on the application:
The proposed plans.
The Henry Jenkins Inn opened in the 1700s and closed in 2011.
The current owner David Fielder bought it the following year.
It was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017 as requested by local residents. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Claybourn.
Community grant
The objections to the application follow a £330,000 grant awarded to villagers campaigning to the save the former public house.
Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young, announced the resident-controlled company, Henry Jenkins Community Pub (HJCP), was successful in its application to receive the Community Ownership Fund in September.
Campaigners hope to buy and refurbish the building and transform it into a community-owned pub, bistro, and coffee shop.
However, the grant is understood to be dependent on a 20% match funding and will only be given to the HJCP providing they come up with £66,000.
The group has already made six purchase offers to Mr Fielder – all of which he has rejected.
In September, however, he told the Stray Ferret he would be “happy to sell for the right price".
Mr Fielder bought his first pub in 1987 and now owns 18 across North and West Yorkshire.
His broad property portfolio also includes industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.
Read more:
- Campaigners toast £330,000 grant to relaunch village pub
- Government rejects bid to convert Kirkby Malzeard pub into house
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