Planning appeal to bring back conversion of Castle Inn, Little Birch

Denise “Dee” Langford, owner of the Castle Inn in Little Birch south of Hereford, was told by county planners last month that she had provided “insufficient evidence” that the pub, which closed in 2020, “is no longer required, viable, or fit for purpose”.

She had also failed to show the pub had been sufficiently marketed “at a realistic price” as a pub, or that an alternative venue was available nearby – so conflicting with local, county and national policy.

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Ms Langford has now taken the case to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have the refusal overturned.

The “history of declining trade, failed reopening, prolonged closure and unsuccessful marketing” of the pub “has not been given sufficient weight” in the council’s decision, her appeal claims, arguing that simply lowering its sale price “would not resolve underlying viability issues”.

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Planners had “assumed continuing community demand” for the pub “without objective evidence”, while giving “insufficient positive weight to the provision of (an) additional dwelling”.

Ms Langford was also “not given a reasonable opportunity to address alleged evidential deficiencies before refusal”, she claims.

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the appeal will be by written representations rather than an in-person inquiry.