The owners of an Eden village pub, which has community support to become an asset of community value, have been refused planning permission to erect a dwelling on the site of its beer garden.
Stephen and Deborah O’Donogue, who own the Belah Bridge Inn, Brough Sowerby, near Kirkby Stephen, had applied to Westmorland and Furness Council for approval for the development.
It was discussed at a meeting of the local area planning committee at Penrith Town Hall.
Mr O’Donogue said they had owned the pub for about 12 years and confirmed that it would not be reopening.
“I have no interest in opening the pub – it wasn’t viable. We tried, we took a gamble and moved into the pub. It was up for sale for a long time, nobody wanted it. We moved into the area and then bought it and turned it into a pub, a restaurant really, not a pub. It worked for a few years and then it just died off. We shut before COVID and it has been closed for six or seven years.
“We couldn’t make ends meet with the pub,” said Mr O’Donogue.
He said it had been up for sale when it was open.
“That’s the best time to sell a pub. I have been in the pub trade for 35 years,” said Mr O’Donogue, who added that they were “not Mickey Mouse people”. “We put 120 per cent effort into the place,” he added.
Mike Collins, chair of Brough Sowerby Parish Meeting, called on planners to refuse. He said as well as 36 letters of objection to the proposal, a petition had been signed by 88 people – representing about 75 per cent of the village objecting.
An accompanying statement said: “There is a long-term trend of communities losing amenities. It is so important we retain the pub, which is part of the community’s identity, an important asset, and should continue to play a role in the community’s spirit and wellbeing.”
The planning committee agreed to follow the planning officer’s recommendation and refuse the application.
