Plans to convert a struggling Northamptonshire village pub which closed during lockdown into five-bedroom home goes to appeal

Plans to convert a pub in a small Northamptonshire village into a home will be decided by the government’s planning inspectorate.

The Fitzgerald Arms in Naseby, which has been closed for more than four years, has requested permission for a change of use into a family home.

Plans were submitted to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in August of last year but, eight months later, a decision is yet to be made by planning officials.

Proposals include the demolition of existing extensions on the building, which are generally in poor condition, and the renovation of the remaining space to form a five-bed property.

Despite the changes, the applicant says the front of the building visible from the road will remain the same.

The venue is a late 19th-century purpose-built pub according to planning documents. Though it is not an official listed building, WNC’s heritage team initially objected to the plans as it “makes an important contribution to the historic character of this part of Naseby village”.

Two objections from members of the public were also noted on the planning application, suggesting that the building had been purposefully “left in a state of disrepair” to build a case for converting it into a house.

They added: “If planning is approved there should be a statement to stop the owner selling the property within X years or give some of the profit to the village.”

According to an independent viability report carried out on the premises, the pub closed its doors at the start of lockdown in 2020 and was not able to reopen. Analysis of the business before its closure showed that it was struggling for near enough a decade, having to close its kitchen and restaurant in 2010 because of heavy losses.

Trade during the year before its closure in 2018/19 was “well below” the level needed to be a viable pub and it was reportedly trading on restricted hours a few nights a week for the immediate local community.

The survey also highlighted other facilities available to the village, including another public house just up the road, a village store and a village hall with a bar and occasional food pop-ups.

It continued: “Naseby is well-blessed with facilities for a small village. It’s fair to say that the local community will be able to continue to fulfil their needs now the Fitzgerald Arms has ceased trading. ”

The applicant has referred the proposals to the planning inspectorate to appeal against the authority’s non-determination. According to West Northamptonshire Council’s website, a decision was due to be made within eight weeks of receiving the plans, on October 20, 2023.

A decision date from the planning watchdog has not yet been disclosed, however final comments from the appellant and the local authority are due at the beginning of June.