Licensee loses change of use application for second time

Valerie Purkiss, who has owned the Hare and Hounds in Hempstead since 2005, applied for the pub to be converted into a house in 2012, after trying for more than four years to sell the property. A similar bid was refused and dismissed on appeal in 2008.

She said she was forced to shut the pub in 2010 due to lack of trade, which she believes is caused by the pub’s remote location, competition from pubs in neighbouring villages, the recession and the fact the local community did not visit the venue.

She also said the pub needs a new sewerage system if it was to continue as a business, which she claimed would cost £140,000.

No offers​

Purkiss added that the pub has received no offers since it has been on the market, and the only potential buyers said they would want to convert the property to residential use.

However North Norfolk District Council refused the application at a planning meeting this month, overturning a recommendation by planning officers, after councillors claimed more could be done to sell the property. Roy Reynolds, vice-chair of the development committee, said councillors “weren’t certain that every avenue had been explored”.

He added: “The committee needs to be convinced it is far too expensive to make it a viable business.”

In a planning document submitted to the council, Purkiss said: “It is only a loss of a community asset if used by the community. We cannot be expected to keep open a facility that is not wanted by the very people it is meant to serve.

“No pub would normally shut without some form of publicity or complaints, and yet we have had nothing discussed with us regarding the closure.”

She added in the planning meeting that she would be appealing the decision but the council said it has “not yet heard anything official”.