PLANS have been approved for the conversion to housing of a village public house near Wellington which closed more than 10 years ago.

The ground floor of the dilapidated Ayshford Arms, in Burlescombe, can now be converted to four cottage-style homes.

Mid Devon District Council planning office Jake Choules said: “It has been suitably demonstrated that the public house is no longer economically viable for use as a community facility as a result of the submission of detailed accounts and marketing information.

“The conversion can take place without significant alteration to the building, retaining its design and character.

“A suitable access and parking arrangement has been provided and biodiversity and neighbourhood amenity are expected to be protected.”

The council heard that despite a number of local objections to the proposals and concern expressed by parish councillors, the pub was not registered as an asset of community value and could therefore be converted.

An economic development report stated the pub closed in 2014 with accounts for the previous two years showing ‘difficult trading periods’.

It had been stated that offers were made and accepted to purchase the pub following marketing exercises but ‘these have not proceeded to sale’.

Mr Choules said: “Proposals involving the loss of community facilities such as local shops, public houses, allotments, cultural and recreational facilities, and other important local services, will not be permitted where this would damage the settlement’s ability to meet its day to day needs or result in the total loss of such services to the community.

“Only in circumstances where the facility is proven to be no longer economically viable, including for alternative community uses, will applications for alternative use be considered acceptable.

“The pub being closed does not in itself demonstrate that it is no longer viable, but combined with the trading accounts, does indicate viability issues.”

Mr Choules said evidence had been provided of marketing efforts from 2014 through to 2023 when the focus changed to preparing the planning application.

He said some interest was shown in the property and some sales had fallen through, with the more recent interest said to be from developers rather than publicans.

No firm evidence had been provided to support claims made on social media that people in the local area were interested in buying the pub and keeping it for a community use, so only limited weight could be given to the posts.

The planning decision was met with dismay by some local residents, who took to social media to express their disappointment.

Ian Middleton said: “Four council taxes better then a closed pub. One buyer wanted a shop and tea rooms, now that is lost, too.”

Chrissie Parker said: “It probably ticks their housing targets.

“A sad end to a very historic building and a shame that the village could not have their say and be listened to about one of the last remaining amenities.”

However, Rachel Barbary-Sprague said: “On the brighter side, we are doing everything we can to have things happening at the village hall for the community.”