AN APPLICATION to turn a last village pub, which has been closed for more than 10 years, into housing has been turned down by councillors.

The Chilli Pepper in Broadwell was the main focus of West Oxfordshire District Council’s (WODC) lowlands area planning sub-committee on Monday.

Councillors debated the importance of the pub to the community and decided to refuse the application.

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Outlining the application, council officer Stuart McIver said: “Given that the premises has not operated as a business for over 10 years, and that there are three restaurants or bars in the immediate vicinity in the nearby villages of Filkins, Alvescot and Langford, officers consider there is accessiblity for local residents for appropriate alternative provision.”

However, Suzi Coul, district councillor for the ward, asked the committee not to approve the application.

She said: “Approximately 10 years ago there was an application for change of use on this property.

“The village made strong representation at the time that the pub could and should be an asset worth preserving.

“This committee at the time agreed, and quite rightly I feel, rejected the application.

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“The Chilli Pepper is the last pub in Broadwell, and if change of use is permitted, villagers will lose the only opportunity to have a community hub.

“Leaving aside the problems caused by the pandemic, there is a strong demand for upmarket pub restaurants in this area.

“Yes, the property could be more financially beneficial as a residential home but if a buyer for the property cannot be found at the current price, common sense should prevail that the asking price may be too high.

“However, granting change of use to financially benefit the current owners would be detrimental to the whole village.”

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An applicant letter submitted with the proposal read: “After 20 years and trying to keep afloat, and trying multiple avenues to make the business work, it is evident that Chilli Pepper is not viable as a business nor commercial establishment.”

Speaking at the meeting, the agent for the application, Suzan Barrow, said: “As a family we have been in the catering business for many many years.

“The building is not fit for commercial use, it cannot lend itself with all the bills and no matter how much we have tried, it is just not possible.”

Despite an initial objection, WODC’s business development officer withdrew it prior to the meeting, saying: “In this instance we have a pub that has not fully traded for many years and where the owners have invested heavily but to no avail such that the business has not been able to trade successfully again.”

Independent councillor Richard Langridge proposed refusal of the application, saying: “As we recover from this pandemic, and as we try to repair the damage that’s been done to the social fabric of our society by this pandemic, we’re going to need places like this more than ever, and frankly I don’t think we should give up on this one yet.”

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