A CAMPAIGN group trying to save a Cotswold village pub is happy to see the latest planning application to turn it into homes deemed invalid.
The Fox and Hounds, Great Wolford's only pub, closed down in 2016 after independent surveyors claimed that the pub was not viable.
Since then a total of four planning applications have been made to Stratford District Council, to turn the grade two listed building from a pub into two residential properties.
The building, which dates back to the 17th century had its first application withdrawn, the following two were refused with the latest application being deemed invalid.
Owners have now decided to appeal the second refusal after a barrister funded by the campaign found issues with the latest planning application.
The Save the Fox and Hounds campaign has since held over 40 pop-up pubs as a way of funding their mission to save "the heart of the community".
James van Helden, a committee member of the campaign group, said: "We have held 40 pop-up pubs since the closure of The Fox and Hounds, to raise funds to fight the planning applications.
"We get temporary licences and use the village hall and green, we also bring an old bar.
"We have raised around £20,000 so far as people come and buy drinks and socialise, we have around 100 people turn up at most of them."
Mr van Helden has lived in the village for over 20 years and is one of six members of the campaign committee.
Most recently the campaign group commissioned a surveyor who showed that the pub was in fact viable, contrary to what the original surveyors had previously claimed.
Mr van Helden continued: "Its huge news that the latest planning application was withdrawn as the pub was at the heart of the community.
"Its where everyone got together, it held events, quiz nights, birthday parties and even funeral wakes.
"Unfortunately a village hall is totally different, but we will keep on fighting to get the pub open again.
"It will be well supported if it delivers a good menu and service.
"If the pub reopens and the people running it get involved and are at the centre of the village, it will not fail."
To find out more, visit: https://www.savethefoxandhounds.org.uk/
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