Row over bid to turn village pub into flats

A petition against the plans to convert the former Holywell Inn at Holywell Green, near Halifax, attracted 250 signatures in just four days.

Another 16 objection letters have been sent to Calderdale Council.

Objectors say the pub was a well-used facility, hosting many fund-raising events for charities and community gatherings.

They have claimed the pub was never short of custom and had a loyal customer base.

But a council planning report quotes from an appraisal by Ernest Wilson & Co which concluded that there was “little interest” in the property when it was marketed for sale as a business.

An agent for Wilson’s said that, in his opinion, the property was no longer suitable for a commercial use and “any person attempting to re-establish a public house in this location would be doomed to fail”.

The council’s planning report added: “Notwithstanding the objections, which consider this to be a valued facility and that the pub has been purposely down traded, it is considered that the marketing shows the business to be unviable and there are other reasonable available facilities to serve the community.”

The council report points out that there are other pubs which can be reached on foot, including the Rock Hotel about half a kilometre away.

And the village of Stainland also has pubs and a restaurant, including the Duke of York and Red Lion.

“As such, although a number of residents object to the proposal, it is considered that there are other community facilities reasonably available and therefore there is no need for the facility in the local area.”

Members of the planning committee will discuss the plans at a meeting tomorrow.