Latest on Old Neighbourhood Inn plans at Chalford Hill

The much-loved Old Neighbourhood Inn at Chalford Hill in the heart of the Five Valleys closed unexpectedly nearly 18 months ago - sparking a campaign by locals to buy it for the community.

But this week fight was stepped up after plans came to light to turn the pub, which opened in the 1850s, into a residential property.

A change of use application was lodged with Stroud District Council earlier this month to transform the venue in Midway, Chalford Hill into a house.

Residents, including the several hundred members of the campaign group who pledged funds to buy the venue, have voiced concerns and disappointment at the latest plans, which they say will rip out the 'heart of their community'.

Tim Woodfine, chair of the Chalford Hill Community Benefit Society, said: "There is exceptionally strong community support for acquiring and re-opening the pub and we have developed a robust business case for a vibrant pub and community hub."

Neighbour and CBS member Claire Mitchell said: "Anyone who loves their local pub will understand that the Old Neighbourhood wasn't just a pub, it was at the heart of our community.

"We miss the sounds of music and children playing in the garden, cosy winter nights by the fire and lazy summer afternoons with friends.

"The car park hosted a weekly market and community events, was a safe place where parents could park and walk their children to and from the village school, as well as providing much needed car parking space in our otherwise narrow roads.

"We need it all back!"

Green district councillor for Chalford Tricia Watson said: "Our village has lost shops, a post office, community halls, green spaces, bus services, even a primary school since I moved here 15 years ago.

"There is great determination in our close-knit community to reinstate this space as a village centre."

However the applicant is claiming that the building now needs 'to be put to use' while a property consultant added that 'the pub could not make enough money to be considered a long term viable business.'

In a planning statement, the applicant said: "The building is deteriorating and if it is not used as a pub then it needs to be put to some other use such as a home for someone."

They also claim that over the last 18 months there has been a 'lack of interest in leasing or purchasing the property to remain as a pub.'

Property consultants Bruton Knowles, in their appraisal which was submitted as a planning document, said: "From the length of time the Old Neighbourhood Inn has been closed it is likely that previous customers have now established themselves in the alternative local pubs.

"Should it reopen it would have a detrimental impact on the trade of those pubs leading to all of them struggling to make a living.

"Even taking figures for a best case scenario the pub could not make enough money to be considered a long term viable business."

Originally named the Mechanics Arms, the pub's quirky modern name given in the early 1990s comes from the nearby Old Neighbourhood road.

With its historic charm and large beer garden, the pub has been a popular gathering spot for generations of people.

The bid to buy it was backed by MP Siobhan Baillie, who said the hoped the group could 'put together a meaningful community plan for the pub to come back to life as a much-loved and well-used community hub and business.'

See the plans on the SDC website.