Campaigners fighting to keep village pub given hope

Planning officers believe more efforts should be made to ensure the Four Crosses Inn in Four Crosses, between Oswestry and Welshpool, remains a pub.

They have advised members of Powys County Council's planning committee to refuse a bid by Buckinghamshire-based development company Easglescourt to turn the pub into a series of cottages at a meeting on Tuesday.

A petition set up by villagers against the plans attracted 586 signatures.

In a report to councillors, Gerallt Davies, planning officer at Powys County Council, says: "A petition with 586 signatures has been submitted in relation to this development which confirms that they are concerned that the Four Crosses Inn should not be de-licensed which would result in the village losing its only public house.

"It is concluded that the application does not provide sufficient justification for the loss of the existing public house in terms marketing efforts and appropriate alternative provision within the community."

Llandysilio Community Council also objected to the plans. The council rejected the plans on the basis that it would be a loss of a village asset.

A statement submitted to Powys County Council said: "We have received many letters and are aware that a petition has been submitted asking that this property remains as a public house.

"A recent report conducted by Northumbria University has found that pubs are essential to promoting community adhesion in rural areas.

"The justification statement submitted with the planning documents states that the average number of customers using the pub on a daily basis has been low for the past two years.

"The letters we have received have all pointed out that Admiral Taverns had not maintained the property for many years which has deterred many from continuing to visit their local.

"When the property was marketed as a public house it had more appeal to developers than to publicans due to the amount of repairs necessary.

"We appreciate the problems that some public houses have but can point to several within a five mile radius that are often fully booked and thriving.

"This pub stands on such a good location, being at the junction of the A483 trunk road and the B4393 carrying holiday makers to the coast and also to the many local caravan parks at Llansantffraid.

"Given the right management team and the right advertising this pub could again be a successful venture."

• Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Neaudd Maldwyn in Welshpool at 10am.