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‘Change of use’ of The Swan in Ley Hill to be debated by Bucks Council
A HISTORIC pub whose trading future has been a long-running dispute is now being considered as a private home â but local campaigners argue it should be preserved.
Mr and Mrs Byatt are applying for a change of The Swan pub, in Ley Hill, near Chesham, to residential use.Â
There will also be two on-site parking spaces but âno internal or external alterationsâ, according to council documents.
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However, the proposed scheme is considered unacceptable and is recommended for refusal.
The councilâs historic buildings officer objects because it will âpreclude general access to members of the publicâ.
PICTURED: A council made map of the local areaÂ
The scheme would ânot accord with adopted Local Plan policiesâ, the report also states.
Council officers also said the proposal âwould not secure optimum use of the buildingâ and would be âdetrimental to the communityâ.
However, despite a report commending the pubâs viability by local group Save Our Swan, a council surveyor said the pub is âunviableâ other than as a âcommunity owned and run venture or by a well-funded operator with significant cash reserves, where profit is not a major requirementâ.
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Council officers described it as a ânotably higher-than-average financial riskâ, adding small pubs such as The Swan face the âhighest risk of closureâ due to the pandemic.
Objections to the Byattâs plans have been received from 96 addresses, as well as from Save Our Swan and Ley Hill Community Pub.
Latimer and Ley Hill Parish Council said there is âno appetiteâ for the change.
Some objectors say it is âdetrimental to a listed buildingâ and would create a âloss of privacyâ.
While another claims the owner âwill consider a reasonable offer if this application is refusedâ, following local offers to buy and maintain the pub as a community asset.
Two letters support its return to residential use.
The site has been in use as a pub since at least 1843, prior to which it was three cottages. It is also directly next door to The Crown pub.
Previous interest for use of the building as a day nursery was refused.
Other applications include withdrawn requests for change of use to two dwellings.
An applicant report claims competition from The Crown and the nearby cricket club, and âmacroeconomic factorsâ, explain a lack of buyers. Adding: âThe Swan is no longer capable of operating profitably and is no longer saleable as a public house.â
A council surveyor said the asking price for the pub âwas too highâ.
The matter is due for debate during an East Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday, March 9.
The recommendation is to refuse the application.
Weâve launched a new Facebook group for local news junkies, politics fans and everyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest issues affecting Ley Hill. Please join the conversation over at Buckinghamshire Politics
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