A COMMUNITY group formed with the aim of buying and running a village pub near Hereford has said a decision is due imminently on a "devastating" and "catastrophic" plan.

Housing developers Choice Circle has applied to Herefordshire Council to build a three-bed, two-storey house at the rear of the Wellington Inn, or The Old Boot, north of Hereford off the A49.

As part of the plan, the firm also wants to demolish the conservatory to make way for an outdoor seating area. It was part of its aim to "support the viability of the business".

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But Community Wellington Inn, the company formed by passionate local residents wanting to reopen the pub which closed in 2019, said it strongly objected to the plan and was "devastated" to hear of Choice Circle's intentions.

It has since said it expects a decision on the plans, submitted in November 2022, "imminently", with 86 people and groups objecting.

It said in its objection to council planners that it learned from its contact with Choice Circle that it wanted to "develop the site for housing and afterwards sell the residual estate to a third party to operate as a pub".

Their letter, written by chair David Wood, of Wellington, said the group had narrowly missed out on buying the pub. It had raised £264,000 of its £275,000 target, but a higher off of £283,000 had been accepted.

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Giving grounds for the objection, David Wood said the pub needed all of the beer garden to operate as a viable concern. Plans showed it would be halved if the scheme is given the green light.

It also said having a house overlooking the beer garden would be "catastrophic" for the pub when it reopened, restricting operations through "noise complaints and statutory nuisance".

The viability of the pub would also be harmed by access to the proposed house being through the car park, as well as the demolition of the conservatory.

Mr Wood also said the house would have a negative impact on the river Lugg and the Wye special area of conservation.

Consultation on the plan has now ended, with a decision expected in due course.