Plans to turn village pub into housing rejected

The Nag's Head closed in October 2024.

Plans to turn a traditional village pub into three new homes have been rejected by a council.

The Nag’s Head in Yorkley Slade, Gloucestershire, closed last month when its landlady retired after 41 years in charge.

Lydney Developments Ltd’s plans to redevelop the site were rejected earlier this week by Forest of Dean District Council and will now go before a planning inspector for a final decision.

Green councillor, Jackie Dale told the committee assessing the application that residents felt “like the heart has been ripped from the village”.

'More than a pub'

Ms Dale said one resident told her visiting the pub over the last 20 years made them feel such a part of the village, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“The Nag’s is more than a pub,” she said.

Resident David Sanderson told the council committee: “It’s a vibrant community pub.

“Two skittles teams, crib, billiards, the meeting place for the cricket club and the footballers, the Mummers practice there and on Wednesdays, there was an OAPs club.

“Thousands raised for charity, I could go on. The pub was, and once again can be the genuine asset of community value.

“I ask in my submission for the council to designate it as such. Please do so.”

The developers have appealed against the council's decision.

A viability report commissioned by Lydney Developments Ltd claims the pub is not viable due to limited cover numbers and declining sales.

They also say the building is in poor condition throughout, with its kitchen not in a commercial format and of poor quality.