Village pub saved from demolition after housing plan thrown out again

A VILLAGE pub has been saved from demolition after a bid to replace it with two homes was blocked by a planning inspector.

Nearly 70 people objected to the scheme for the Silver Hind in Sway which was thrown out by the national park authority last year, partly over the loss of an employment and community facility.

Andy and Carol Cottingham are the current landlords who wanted to retire and sell the premises in Station Road to a developer as they said it was “economically unviable”.

The two-home plan was submitted by Taylor Grey Homes Ltd which fought for the NPA’s decision to be overturned on appeal.

Now the government-appointed inspector has ruled in favour of the NPA, concluding: “I have found that the proposal would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

“It would lead to a harmful loss of community facilities and some limited harm to employment opportunities.”

Preserving the premises as an occasional focal point for village events, such as the annual carnival, had been a major issue for opponents to its loss as the only pub in the centre of Sway.

That was a concern backed by the inspector who said the Silver Hind should be considered as a “community facility” that could not be fulfilled by other premises, such as the Hare and Hounds on the edge of the village.

Although the restaurant at the Silver Hind had closed, the inspector said it nevertheless provided some jobs which, under the NPA’s policies to sustain employment in the park, meant it should be protected.

The inspector added the proposed “suburban” parking arrangements for two cars, and potential harm to a tree on the site also threatened to spoil the surroundings.

Mr and Mrs Cottingham had previously threatened to close down the pub, arguing that the restaurant was making a loss.

But the inspector pointed out that the bar operation “sustains itself financially” and was being kept open to service a loan held by the couple against the property – which he said indicated that some form of business at the Silver Hind was “viable”.

Mrs Cottingham confirmed to the A&T that the Silver Hind would stay open and the couple would consider their next move after the summer season.

“These things happen,” she said. “We’re philosophical about it. The developer tried to get planning and they were not successfully. We will walk away from it and move on. It was always a gamble.

“The Silver Hind will continue in one way or another as I can’t see any other developer being more successful than the last one.”

“It’s a nice village pub and I am sure it will continue to be one – with or without us.”

The original part of the building dates from 1909 and was first used as a cottage for the district nurse. It has also been a B&B.

An earlier bid by Taylor Grey Homes Ltd for three homes was thrown out by the NPA in 2017, also partly over the loss of a building for jobs and community use.