Pub conversion refused amid outcry from villagers

The Feathers Inn, Brockton, near Much Wenlock, closed in August 2023

Plans to convert a country pub into housing have been refused amid an outcry from village residents.

The Feathers Inn in Brockton, near Much Wenlock, Shropshire, closed in August 2023, which the applicant said was due to "lack of demand, rising costs and low turnover".

But Shropshire Council refused the change of use after deciding that not enough evidence had been provided to prove whether the pub could still be run as a viable community facility.

Easthope Shipton and Stanton Long Parish Council said residents had expressed "deep concern" over the effect of losing the pub.

The application attracted 46 objections, and more than 40 residents turned out to an extraordinary parish council meeting to consider the application.

In Shropshire Council's planning report, it said the closure of the pub appeared to have been a "shock decision to both villagers and staff".

The applicant, though, argued that there was not enough trade for the business to be viable.

"Social media managed to attract customers from the surrounding areas, but this was not enough to afford a reasonable income and standard of living," a supporting statement added.

However, the council's planning team said not enough accounts had been submitted to gauge the pub's commercial potential.

"No trading accounts have been provided either by the applicant to support his assertion that the business was not viable, nor to set out what he considers to be a reasonable living wage either,” said the officer’s report.

"Officers take the view that due to the lack of evidence submitted by the applicant, it is unclear, why this business model including the letting rooms at first floor, is no longer viable at present."