"Pub licensees outraged by community listing"
From the Morning Advertiser:
"Freeholder Stuart Matthews of the Bull Inn, Charlbury, west Oxfordshire, voiced his anger after his pub was given an ACV [Asset of Community Value listing] when he applied for planning permission to convert it into dwellings.
"Matthews said: 'I understand that ACVs can be enormously helpful in protecting pubs against large developers but we're a private enterprise with just one site. We applied to change the use of the site on the basis the town is well subscribed with alternative venues. Even selling the pub wasn't an option because pub prices have been so decimated.
"'Communities can apply for pubs to be ACVs but there's no law that says they have to use the pubs. It's handcuffs slapped on you by a very one-sided piece of legislation.'
"Charlbury, a town of 2,000 people, has another three pubs alongside numerous sports and social clubs and cafés.
"West Oxfordshire district council said that the Bull Inn met the criteria for an ACV and was therefore listed accordingly but declined to comment further. Matthews contacted his local MP, Prime Minister David Cameron, about the listing, who confirmed he had spoken to the district council and been assured the correct processes had been followed."
Tue 5 May 2015, 12:30 · Link