New plans to convert pub

Plans to turn an historic county pub into houses have been submitted again to Herefordshire Council.

Thomas Hayes wants to convert the Cliffe Arms in Mathon, near Malvern, into two homes and build a detached property within the garden back in June last year.

But Herefordshire Council rejected the scheme because not enough evidence was provided to demonstrate the pub could not be made a viable business.

Planners also said at the time the loss of the community hub would not contribute to the social wellbeing and vitality of the village.

However, Mr Hayes has now submitted new plans to convert the site.

Architects working on the scheme say the purpose of this repeat application is to overcome the previous reason for refusal.

These proposals are to convert the pub into two homes and build another house on the site.

Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale spokesman Mark Haslam said: “We are surprised to see another application to convert the Cliffe Arms into a dwelling so soon after the last application was refused by Herefordshire Council planners on no less than nine separate grounds.

“The problem remains that the owner has steadfastly refused to sell the pub.

“We are confident that that will be their undoing just like it was the last time.

“It is not acceptable for people to convert pubs when there is a buyer, who seeks to run it as a pub business, interested, as is the case here.

“CAMRA will be sending a detailed report covering these matters to the planners in due course.”