Historic ale house will have to go (From Witney Gazette)

Historic ale house will have to go

9:00am Wednesday 5th July 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

RESIDENTS have been left disappointed after plans were given the go ahead to convert a historic Woodstock pub into a house.

The Queen's Own Inn, a 17th-century traditional ale house, in Oxford Street, is being turned into a four-bedroom home after it was bought by a London-based property investment firm.

West Oxfordshire District Council has given the green light for the development, despite objections from residents, Woodstock Town Council, and some district councillors.

The move has left leaseholder, Peter Cosgrove, with no choice but to pull his last pint, despite having taken over the pub only 18 months ago and having more than 18 years left on his lease.

Mr Cosgrove, who also runs Norten's cafe and guest house, in Chipping Norton, said he stood to lose up to £60,000 which he had invested in restoring part of the pub, though he was trying to claim compensation.

He said: "I just feel it's a great shame. I'm very sad to be leaving and disappointed personally, and for the town at large, as it's a unique facility in Woodstock."

The pub was purchased in October by Amek Investments (Commercial), which has bought a number of public houses in recent years, mainly in the West Country, and submitted similar planning applications elsewhere. Its application for the Queen's Own was initially turned down by councillors, but head of planning, Ian Morrow, said refusal was contrary to policy, and referred the case to the council's development control committee, which gave approval in June.

The pub which was owned by Hook Norton Brewery for many years, and then bought and sold on to Punch Taverns by the Inspired Pub Company has two floors above the bar area, with three en-suite bathrooms.

It will be converted into a four-bedroom house, and an extension to the rear will be demolished to make a larger garden.

There is no parking outside the property, which has raised fears about the effect the development will have on traffic, but Amek said there was 'ample' parking available nearby.

Its closure will mean the loss of two full-time and six part-time jobs.

One resident, who wrote to the district council objecting to the plans, said: "We should make every effort to protect individually-run pubs, as they are a dying breed. They help give towns like Woodstock a sense of uniqueness."

Woodstock Town Council also objected, saying the pub's closure would lead to a loss of social amenity, loss of employment opportunities, and cause traffic problems.

But Amek Investments said: "This will not represent a loss of a local community facility bearing in mind that there are several other public bars within a short walking distance of The Queen's Own inn, and the area appears to be well-serviced with public bars.

"These establishments would appear to be sited in a more suitable location within the town, rather than the predominately residential area surrounding the pub."