Plans to convert Grade II listed pub into home refused

A proposal to convert a Grade II listed country pub into a home has been blocked.

Stan Taylor, owner of The Horseshoe Inn in West Rounton, between Northallerton and Yarm, said the business was no longer viable.

Objectors said they wanted the pub to remain open with a community campaign under way to try and buy it.

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council's Richmond planning committee rejected the conversion proposals.

Mr Taylor had wanted to change the building to residential use, stating he had been unable to sell it as a public house.

Planning officials had previously said he had provided only "limited evidence" of the pub's recent trading history, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

A community interest group (CIG) also hoped to buy the building, the meeting heard.

Mr Taylor, who was unable to speak at the meeting after not registering his interest before the meeting, told the LDRS he supported the principal of selling the building to the community.

However, he said the community had been "disinterested" previously, adding: "I think their concern is much more about housing values."

However, a Rounton’s community interest group (CIG) spokeswoman told the meeting there had been an “overwhelming” response from villagers but they needed more time to put together a bid to buy it.

A parish council spokeswoman said it hoped to create a community hub for both East Rounton and West Rounton, helping to reduce social isolation.

Local North Yorkshire councillor Annabel Wilkinson said the inn was “an invaluable community facility”, demonstrated by residents having pledged £55,000 to help create a community-run pub.