Council backs SOS in pub demolition case

A campaign group is celebrating after winning a major battle in its attempt to save a West Yorkshire pub.

Leeds City Council planners have thrown out a bid to knock down the Summer Cross pub in Otley and build 14 houses in its place.

The pub, which recently won a Campaign For Real Ale award, was suddenly closed in October and then bought by property developer Chartford Homes.

In a bid to protect the pub from redevelopment, campaigners including Otley MP Greg Mulholland formed the Save Our Summer Cross (SOS) group.

Speaking after the council decision this week, he said: "This is great news and a real victory for the community.

"I hope Chartford Homes will now accept that a development is not wanted here. They should have the good grace to walk away and allow someone to buy the Summer Cross and re-open it as a pub.

"The good of the community must come before making money for developers and I hope that before too long the Summer Cross will be serving its community again, the way it did for so many years."

SOS Chairman Shirley Lewis, said: "We've won a battle, not the war, but this just shows what a group of people can do if they really feel strongly about something."

Local Councillor Graham Kirkland also hailed the decision.

He said: "If they can't knock the pub down they can't proceed, end of story, so it is good news, although they could always try and convert it, of course, or appeal.

"But for now it's Residents 1, Chartford Homes 0. It's a bit like David against Goliath, or Barnsley against Chelsea."