Housing plan for empty and unprofitable pub

The pub has been closed for four years after struggling to make a profit

A former pub which dates back over 200 years could be turned into new housing.

The White Hart at New Mill, in Holmfirth, has been vacant for around four years after tenants struggled to make a profit.

An application to build four new homes on the site, which fronts onto Huddersfield Road, has been submitted to Kirklees Council.

Three of the properties would be built inside the pub and a bungalow would be constructed on the car park at the rear of the building.

A previous application to create three homes on the site in 2020 was rejected.

Current plans would see the addition of a doorway at the front of the former pub to provide access to one of the homes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Another door would be put in at the back of the building so residents could access garden spaces. One of the plots would also come with a private summer house.

The planning, design and access statement on behalf of the applicant states: "In recent years, the pub has not been profitable.

"Multiple tenants have taken on the responsibility of running the pub and all have had to make the difficult decision and step away, citing loss of revenue, savings and the inability to make the business turn a profit.

“This application will reuse an under-utilised building that has lay vacant for a number of years, despite the applicant’s best efforts to try and keep the White Hart open."

A decision on whether or not to approve the application is scheduled to be made in October.

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