Shrewsbury landlord's joy as pub demolition is denied

The Anchor Inn, in Harlescott, was earmarked for closure by Punch Taverns with plans to tear it down so six houses and an apartment block could be built in its place.

The pub company said the Anchor was not profitable.

But a petition set up by landlord Mark Archer attracted more than 300 signatures, and councillors voted against the plans at the central planning committee at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday, saying the company could not knock down a pub at the "heart of the community".

Punch Taverns planned to sell the pub site in Gloucester Road to Wrekin Housing Trust.

Mr Fletcher and landlady Beverley Smith punched the air after councillors unanimously rejected the proposals, but said they feared the pub could now be turned into a fast-food outlet.

Vernon Bushell, chairman of the committee, spoke before bowing out of the meeting as he is councillor for the area.

He said: "I support affordable housing but I also support community facilities. I still believe a compromise can be reached and we can build on the ample car park whilst saving the pub.

"These plans suggest there are other pubs in the area but they aren't within walking distance and the last bus stops at 8pm. Ninety per cent of the regulars walk to that pub, which has stood there since 1962.

"It is the headquarters for a football team, a darts team, a dominoes team, and people hold birthdays and christenings there. If that is not a community pub then I don't know what is."

The landlords said the first they knew of the demolition proposals was a site notice appearing stating that Wrekin Housing Trust had applied to Shropshire Council to build houses there.

Many councillors pointed out that the report put forward was misleading, as it suggested that the the pub was in disrepair and not at the heart of the community.

Councillor Kevin Pardy said: "When I read the report I could not believe we are talking about the same pub. It is good condition and we are talking about a tight-knit community here.

"To say that it is not a community pub is wrong. It is right at the heart of everything."

Councillor Peter Nutting agreed and said the committee would be destroying a community if it accepted the plans.

He said: "To think we would destroy it when we are trying to build up a community is ludicrous."

Punch Taverns has previously claimed that the pub was not profitable, and Mr Fletcher believes the battle is not yet won. He said: "We're happy but this just the start.

"The next step for Punch will be to try and turn it into something else. We will fight to stay – we are at the heart of the community."