Campaign for village pub grows (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Campaign for village pub grows

A SCHEME by the wife of a millionaire tycoon to turn a village pub into a private house is being opposed by parish councillors.

Last month Fiona Davies, wife of fashion designer and businessman George Davies, submitted the proposals for the Horse & Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill to Cotswold District Council for approval.

The application led to a flurry of objections from villagers, who packed a public meeting to show their disapproval. A petition was launched and many householders displayed posters in their windows saying 'Save Our Pub'. So far, it is estimated that about 35 have sent written objections to the scheme.

The village's parish council has also sent a statement to the district's planning authority to make clear its objections.

The statement said that the pub should not be closed if there was any chance of it being run as a successful business. "In particular the council believes that the only meaningful test of viability is for the premises to be offered for sale on the open market as a full-time pub, with associated catering and accommodation facilities at a fair market price.

"In the absence of such a test the council does not believe that the proper judgement on viability can be made, particularly given the deliberate reduction in facilities in recent years. It is the community's strong contention that the pub's underlying viability has been fundamentally compromised by the recent changes to its operations.

"The application threatens the survival of this most important village amenity, one of the very few remaining in the community."

The application will be considered by district councillors at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday, April 6.