The Royal Oak Inn - Campaign against change of use

The Royal Oak has been closed since late 2007

It has remained empty largely due to the price being asked by the bank that repossessed it. Originally £550,000 then later reduced to around £300,000 which many people believe is far in excess of its value as a semi derelict pub which probably needs at least £250,000 spent on it to return it to use as a pub.

It has recently been purchased by James and Emma Bell who are seeking permission to change it to a private house which would significantly increase its value whilst almost certainly removing the possibility of the village ever having a pub again.

The planning applications for change of use for The Royal Oak have now been submitted to the council
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/2012/0217/applicationdetails.htm
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/2012/0217/applicationdocumentation.htm
and
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/2012/0218/applicationdetails.htm
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/2012/0218/applicationdocumentation.htm

Friday 24th February 19:00 in Swallowcliffe Village Hall
The public meeting organised by the Parish Council was well attended with over 60 members of the public present.

Mr Bell put his argument forward which was politely received by those present, however the vast majority of those voicing an opinion were strongly opposed to the application for change of use.

Accordingly, after careful consideration of the pros and cons, the Parish Councillors voted to oppose the application.

It is important to let Wiltshire Council know your opinion as well. Being at the meeting does NOT count as an objection as far as WC are concerned. You can object (or support) the application for change of use by the 15th March, via the Web site (link below) (make sure they acknowledge your communication).
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/2012/0217/submitapplicationcomment.htm

or by letter to:

The Senior Planning Officer
Wiltshire Council
Development Services
PO Box 2281
Salisbury
SP2 2HX

Your letter or email can be as simple as:

Application number S/2012/0217
Richmond Bell Architects Ltd - Royal Oak, Swallowcliffe, Salisbury, SP3 5PA
Change of use of the existing public house (a4) to a single residential dwelling (c3) with associated internal and external works..

Dear Sir or Madam,

I object to the planning application above.

add reasons here if you wish - not compulsory

Yours faithfully

.......

The second application (ending 0218) is for work to a listed building - you may wish to object to this as well as the change of use application but if you don't want to lose the pub forever then 0217 is the most important one.

Background information:

The Swallowcliffe Debating Society held a meeting about The Royal Oak on 8th February 2011 - 20:00 - almost 80 people attended and all, bar one, felt the pub should be reopened as a pub.

The chairman, Chris Stanbury, suggested that it may be a good idea to buy the pub as a community pub and there was some significant interest in this idea but there were not sufficient pledges at the time to make an offer.

At the time there was an offer on the table from an unknown buyer of approximately £300k which was rejected by the owners - this offer would have been to re-open The Royal Oak as a pub.

The building probably needs at least £250,000 spent on it to make it usable as a pub.

The whole building is listed - Grade 2