Oxfordshire village pub to become houses after council decision
- Published
The Horse and Harrow pub will become two houses
Councillors have given permission for a village pub to be turned into homes.
South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee approved a proposal to convert the Horse and Harrow pub in West Hagbourne into two houses.
The application also included the construction of two more properties adjacent to the pub.
The decision comes less than a month after councillors unanimously voted against officer recommendations and rejected the proposals.
Six councillors voted in favour, one voted against and there were three abstentions in the latest decision.
A study by estate company Savills from October 2022 said that the pub was "unviable" as a business.
"There are better located venues with superior facilities within close proximity," it added.
The initial rejection went against the advice of planning officers, with an appeal report released following the decision.
Councillors made the decision to back the officer's recommendations in light of the appeal report.
One council official said: "There has been a sharp decline in use of the pub.
"A lot of competition has made it difficult for a pub in a small village."
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