Controversial pub application withdrawn

A divisive planning application to convert a village pub in Avon Dassett into a house has been withdrawn, just one hour before it was set to be discussed by councillors.

It is not known why the application was withdrawn shortly before today's meeting of Stratford District Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee or whether the applicant intends to resubmit the application at a later date.

Within the original application, pub owners Mr and Mrs Chick, explained that they have been unable keep the premises profitable since its re-opening in February and cannot afford to keep ploughing thousands of pounds into the enterprise.

The owners blame high business rates and the opening of the nearby Falcon pub for their inability to make the venture work.

The application has triggered a wave of anger around the village with many residents unhappy about the potential loss of such an important community hub.

Comments from residents on the application even suggest that that the landlord does not seem to have put enough effort into making the premises work as a pub and speculate that it may have been their plan all along to eventually convert the building into housing.