Game over for Three Lions?

PLANS SUBMITTED TO REDEVELOP SITE OF ‘STRUGGLING’ PUB INTO NEW HOMES

A PUB could turn into homes if plans are approved.

The Three Lions, in Netherfield Lane in Meden Vale, near Mansfield, has struggled for around three years and was forced to close during the pandemic.

But developers have lodged plans which could see the pub given a new lease of life, turning the land into houses and apartments.

The Three Lions, which is currently still trading, has been suffering with what has been described as a “stagnant local customer base” over numerous years and was put up for auction in 2019.

Developers said the current tenant would “welcome the opportunity” to sign off on plans to turn it into homes.

Under the proposals, submitted to Mansfield District Council last week, the site would be demolished and turned into the properties.

The homes would all be affordable properties, consisting of 28 one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom semi-detached homes, and 12 three-bedroom semi-detached and detached houses.

Speaking on the plight of the pub, developer Roman Summer outlined some of the difficulties it has experienced in recent years.

It said: “The Three Lions was closed for a full year due to Covid19 and lockdown restrictions, and the brewery/owner advises that its long-term viability as a business is in serious question.

“We understand that the current tenant, who has been in the business since March 2018, has welcomed the opportunity to sign a deed of surrender on their current tenancy agreement to remove themselves from the business upon sale of the business.

“The Three Lions was put to market via auction on September 18, 2019 and the site failed to attract buyers as a going concern as a trading pub.

“We are advised by the owner that stagnated customer levels and drink volumes in the past three years pinpoints the route cause for the long-term issues for the site as a trading pub.

“The Brewery has explained that the stagnant local customer base along with a general increase in the cost base of the operation namely in business rates, insurance and the national living wage - adds to the commercial non-viability of the site as a trading pub in the long-term.”

In planning documents, the developer confirmed plans to market all properties as affordable, operated and backed by provider Jigsaw Homes.

“This proposal looks to deliver a positive and sustainable use for the site with a mix of good quality new affordable homes,” the developer adds. “All of the proposed dwellings will be affordable homes, backed and operated by highly-experienced and reputable registered provider Jigsaw Homes.

“The scheme aims to create an attractive frontage onto Netherfield Lane by positioning a series of ‘Cottage’ apartments at the front of the site. The application site comprises the Three Lions pub, its large car park and beer garden, and an adjoining area of largely unused scrubland to the west, all of which presents a somewhat unkempt and unprepossessing appearance.”

The proposals are set to be reviewed by Mansfield District Council’s planners at a later date.

The Post attempted to contact the pub for a comment but had not received a response by the time this edition went to press.