Councillors throw out homes plan at two Shropshire pubs
Plans to turn two country pubs in Shropshire into homes were thrown out by councillors at two separate Shropshire Council meetings.
Applications to change the use of the Lion O Morfe, at Upper Farmcote, near Bridgnorth, and The Squirrel Inn, beside the old A53 at Wollerton, were turned down.
Councillors said they believed both of the buildings could still be used as pubs and to turn them into houses would be a loss of public facilities.
At a planning meeting in Bridgnorth, the decision rested with chairman, Councillor David Evans, after equal votes for and against the application. Councillor Evans stuck to his original decision to go against the recommendation to give the go-ahead.
Councillor Madge Shineton said: "I am extremely disappointed this has come forward. The pub has been closed since 2010 and it is being marketed at a very high price.
"It has adjacent land which could be very appealing so I just feel a bit uncomfortable about supporting this application."
At a planning meeting in Wem, councillors refused the plans and said they believed the Squirrel Inn could thrive as a pub.
They claimed the 15 months the pub had been on sale was not sufficient enough to find a buyer.
The pub closed in 2010 and applicants Claire Howell and Sarah Mazloom bought it last year.
