Historic pub could be given lifeline

The Anchor in Knaphill was originally built in the late 1700s but closed its doors in 2020

A closed-down 18th century hotel and pub could be brought back to life if new plans for a housing development are approved.

The Anchor in Knaphill was originally built in the late 1700s but closed its doors in 2020 and plans had already been approved to split the building into housing and a smaller pub.

But hopes that the Sandcastle pub, as it’s sometimes referred to locally, would reopen were slowly dashed when the planning permission expired with no work carried out.

However, developers have returned with near identical proposals.

The plans are set to be considered by Woking Borough Council later.

The application is the resubmission of a bid which was granted in 2018, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Opportunity to remain'

The Anchor, in Lower Guildford Road, is locally listed.

Council planning policy seeks to protect pubs as they meet "the everyday needs of those living locally”.

Planners recommended the proposal be approved, saying the designs “strike an acceptable balance between retaining a commercial use and giving the existing pub an opportunity to remain".

The Anchor has twice been nominated and designated as an Asset of Community Value but on both occasions the listing was overturned by the council.