Plan will lead to loss of only pub in village

DEVELOPMENT: Residents say the loss of a Wolds village’s only pub will drastically alter the place’s character and make it even more isolated, following the loss of its post office and shop.

Developers are seeking permission at a meeting on Monday from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to convert The Falling Stone into a house.

RESIDENTS SAY the loss of a Yorkshire Wolds village’s only pub will drastically alter the place’s character and make it even more isolated, following the loss of its post office and shop.

Developers are seeking permission at a meeting on Monday from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) to convert The Falling Stone, at Thwing, into a house.

Over a dozen rural pubs in the East Riding have closed in the past couple of years and have been turned into housing, echoing a trend seen across Yorkshire in the past decade.

Two years ago, it was reported that one in five pubs in Yorkshire had shut since 2007, with rural areas bearing the brunt of closures.

In January, hundreds signed a petition to save the 19th century Sun Inn at Skirlaugh, near Hull, from being knocked down to make way for five houses.

Meanwhile an appeal has been lodged against the refusal of plans to turn the Bosville Arms, in Rudston, into five homes.

Thwing and Octon parish council said offers have been made to the vendors on more than one occasion to buy the building and its land and turn it into “more than a pub,” erecting a community hall to the rear and bringing services back into the village.

They argue without the pub, the village will become “unsustainable as it will have no services.” One resident wrote to say: “The Post Office and shop have already been lost and it now feels rurally isolated. Having such a venue would enable us to have a meeting place for the many things the public house was used for in the past – craft fairs, pantomimes, OAP Christmas lunch, quiz nights, celebratory parties.”

However its agents said given recent history “trying to resurrect a viable public house business here looks fanciful.”

They said despite marketing for 12 months, interest in the property has been limited and they had not received any realistic offers.

In a committee report, councillors are recommended to refuse the plans, with officers saying insufficient evidence has been given that the business is not economically viable.

They say the asking price – which was £249,000 but has now been changed to price on application – was “too high” given the state it is in. An offer of £125,00 by the Thwing & Octon Benefit Society, which wants to bring the pub back into community use, was rejected. Officers says the Society continues to show an interest in either buying or leasing the property.

Ken Smith, spokesman for the Hull and East Riding branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “Camra is delighted that the planning officer had seen fit to follow ERYC policy and take into account that the pub is an important asset to the community.”

The Falling Stone is an important asset to the community.

Ken Smith,

Hull and East Riding Campaign for Real Ale