Campaign wins reprieve for hub

The Pantmawr Inn in west Cardiff, due to be demolished by landlords Mitchells & Butler (M&B) for private development, has been saved thanks to lobbying by a local residents association.

The pub, an old farmhouse which occupies a large plot of land in the middle of a housing estate on the outskirts of Cardiff, was due to be knocked down to make way for 23 flats and 11 townhouses.

Cardiff County Council last month rejected the appeal made by developer Charles Church Wales and Mitchells & Butlers. Hywel Wyn Jones, the inspector who made the report, said: "Its loss would deprive the community of a readily accessible centre for social interaction, and in this respect it would conflict with national policy." He added that it would impact on neighbouring residents and the surrounding area.

Chairman of the Pantmawr Action Group, Hugh Payne, described the pub as "the the hub of our community", which is why the group campaigned so heavily against the proposed development. It created a website, online petition and printed t-shirts and car stickers to raise awareness of the pub's plight. He added: "We won't be happy until we know the future of the pub is secure."

John Bassett, licensee at the pub - currently operating under a tenancy-at-will agreement with M&B - said: "The pub is trading quite well, I'd like to see that M&B would keep it on and see if we could reach a deal."

A spokeswoman for M&B said: "Two years ago, we applied for additional opening hours, to enable the pub to compete effectively in the local area. However, resident objections to that application has meant it is not viable to keep it going as a pub in the long-term.

We have been looking to sell it for alternative use and were disappointed that the recent appeal has been rejected. We are currently reviewing the options for the pub.