Landlord calls time on Cockfield pub after plan to turn it into a house refused
A landlord says he will not be reopening his pub after controversial plans to turn it into a house were refused.
Ron East had applied to turn the Plough and Fleece, in Great Green, Cockfield, where he currently lives, into a residential property, claiming the pub was no longer viable, with Covid-19 being ‘the final straw’.
The move prompted 64 objections on the Babergh planning portal from residents as well as West Suffolk Camra, the campaign for real ale.
Cockfield Parish Council said in its objection the application ‘flies in the face of legislation and policy which seeks to preserve and protect the sustainability of rural communities and their assets’ and it 'strongly' opposed the move.
It said the Plough & Fleece "must be retained and allowed to flourish".
Meanwhile public objections to the application cited inconsistent opening times, closure for long periods of time, its connection to the village, a growing population, and its value as a community hub and asset.
Last week, the application was thrown out by Babergh officers who said it was contrary to nine planning policies including the national planning policy framework to ‘protect community assets and enhance the vitality of local communities’.
They also said that turning the pub into a house denied ‘employment opportunities’ and that marketing plans for its continued use had not been fully explored by the landlord before submitting the application.
In response to the decision, however, Mr East reiterated comments he made on the Babergh District planning portal that a 'lack of community support' had meant the pub was 'unviable'.
On running the pub, he said: “Nine years of diversifying and new signage to demonstrate the importance of community support – but all to no avail.
We have previously marketed this business and home with no interest or offers, with Covid and accounts showing loss, no sane business person would contemplate.
“A public house is not a given ‘right’ for a community and not owned by either parish or county council, this is our home.
"We put our trust and faith into planning authorities based solely on planning law."
With regard to the future of the pub, Mr East confirmed: “As planning permission has not been granted our only option is to remain here in our home and keep downstairs closed to the public.
"This would also give the second pub in the village a stronger chance of long term success.”
He added he currently had 'no plans' to sell the property.
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