Barley community ‘up in arms’ about application to turn Fox and Hounds pub into housing

Fox and Hounds pub in Barley may be turned into housing (Image: Archant)

The community has pulled together in opposition to the application to allow the Grade II-listed building – which until a year ago housed the once thriving Fox and Hounds pub – to be turned into two homes.

Barley Parish Council is ‘vigorously opposed’ to the application put forwards by Derbyshire-based consultants Paul Gaughan.

More than 100 people turned up to a public meeting held by the parish council earlier this month, and only one person said they did not object to the application.

Parish council chairman Jerry Carlisle said the turnout at the meeting shows the strength of feeling in the village about the application.

He said: “The parish council vigorously objects the application.

“It’s a landmark building, it’s been a pub for donkey’s years.

“It’s a money making exercise. The applicant already has two houses on the site.

“There’s no justification for the change of use. Lots of people are writing in objection.

“We will be looking to make sure the application is dealt with by a committee.

“A pub is the social fabric of the village and the Fox and Hounds is in the heart of Barley.”

Nick White, who lives in the village, also expressed his opposition to the application. He said: “We don’t want to lose the amenity – it is a focal part of the village.

“The Chequers pub in the village is very successful and they have no problem with the competition.”

Fellow villager Stephen Marsh said the village is ‘up in arms’ about the application, adding: “The village can easily sustain two pubs. There’s definitely a market for it.”

In the statement submitted with the application, the developer said: “The site currently has little value as a community asset as its recent trading history would testify that other licensed premises in the vicinity are sufficient to satisfy local demand.”

People who wish to express their views on the application can comment by searching reference number 15/01892/1 on the planning section of the www.north-herts.gov.uk website.