Application for change use of for Prince of Wales pub

The application to convert the Prince of Wales Inn at Newtown-in-St Martin into a single-dwelling property was put through on May 7, despite attempts from a local community group to raise the funds to buy it for the community.

The changes proposed would include removing the bar to make way for a kitchen and dining area, as well as the removal of the external pub sign, extractor chimney and the demolition of one small section of interior space to allow for access to the stairs.

This will be the second application put through for the property after a previous application for a change of use was withdrawn in July of 2020 due to the property being considered for inclusion in the Council’s List of Assets of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

A separate application was also put through in April of this year which proposes the construction of two bungalow dwellings in the pub's exisiting car park space, with a decision still yet to be made.

Aerial shot of Newton, St Martin.

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The property has now, however, been removed from the list and is no longer considered an asset to the community, allowing for the new planning application for the change of use to be submitted.

According to the application, which was submitted by Gilly Slater of Enhance Land & Planning on behalf of Tom Briant: "The pub has been marketed since 2015 but no acceptable offers have been received, despite a significant reduction in the asking price.

"The six-year marketing effort, coupled with the fact that the property has now been removed from the List of Assets of Community Value, indicates that the likelihood of the property being bought back into use as a pub is slim at best.

"Even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the pub was not financially viable, despite significant financial input from the applicants to refurbish and improve the dining facilities available.

"Given the lack of alternative options available, and the fact that the pub is unlikely to ever become financially viable, the change of use to a single dwelling is the most logical solution to ensuring the historic property is bought back into use and preserved for future generations."

However, Friends of the Prince of Wales, Newton St Martin, a community group that was set up in the hopes of purchasing the pub, is rallying group members to object to the application through social media.

Members previously said they had been told by the owners that they would be open to an offer of £440,000, if the group can raise the remaining funds.

In a statement posted online, the group said: "This is the planning application that would mean we lose the pub forever.

"The whole bunglaow issue won't matter if you do not object to the change of use from pub to a house.

"We have come so far and have a really clear and strong plan to save it."

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Public comments on the most recent application are all negative at the time of reporting, with many referencing the community group's attempts to save and purchase the property to be run by the local community.

Commenting on the application, Victoria Carpenter, chair of the community benefit society, said: "Our public consultations demonstrate there is considerable strength of feeling wishing to protect this pub as it is a vital community asset which has importance for the social and economic wellbeing of the local community.

"Having carried out very detailed viability studies, including seasonal trade and the number of covers required in each quarter to sustain the viability of the public house as a business, we feel that we could buy and sustain the pub as a thriving community amenity and are happy to supply our business and community benefit plan to illustrate this.

"Our proposition for a viable business which also includes services such as a local shop and community clubs and drop in education centre.

"This plan has the support of both our local MP Derek Thomas and our local councillor Guy Foreman, along with over 250 members of our community group, 50 of whom have put their names down to volunteer time and help."