Please help us to save our Pub.
The Fox and Hounds Pub in Great Wolford, Warwickshire, is at risk of being closed forever.
The Save the Fox & Hounds Campaign is working to keep this much-loved Cotswolds gem in its place at the heart of the community. Once a successful destination pub with fabulous food and a B and B, it can again be a thriving business.
The Fox and Hounds is in a beautiful North Cotswold village in a conservation area (AONB) . This wonderful pub dates back to the 17th century and was an award-winning example of a rural business at its best. The Fox & Hounds was a magnet for locals as well as a destination pub for those from miles away. This historic inn, with its old beams and fireplace, was the beating heart of the surrounding village communities. For background on the Campaign, please see The Story So Far
DECEMBER 13TH 2024: THE OWNERS’ APPEAL (SEE BELOW) HAS BEEN ALLOWED BY THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE. MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW WHEN THE CAMPAIGN HAS HEARD LEGAL ADVICE.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2024
1. PLANNING APPLICATION (23/01922/FUL)
This is the owners’ 4th application for change of use to residential and because of our robust opposition to it, the application went to the Stratofrd-on-Avon Council Planning Committee on 14th August 2024 and was refused. It was attended by many supporters of the Campaign..
The Planning Committee concluded “In light of the recent reasonable offers made to purchase the Fox and Hounds Inn, the Local Planning Authority considered that there is a realistic prospect of the facility continuing for commercial and operational reasons on the site”, therefore the proposed development does not comply with Criterion 1 of CS.25(A).” Also, the Decision stated, “the submitted marketing information is outdated and the property was not advertised at a realistic sale price, therefore the application did not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that Criterion 2 of CS.25(A) and the stipulations of Policy CS.22 are satisfied.”
2. FOX & HOUNDS OWNERS’ APPEAL (PENDING) AGAINST REFUSAL OF APPLICATION (22/03071/FUL)
The owners of the Fox and Hounds appealed against Stratford Planners’ refusal (in June last year) of their 2022 application which was for change of use to 2 dwellings. The Parish Council and the Campaign have taken legal advice to fight this Appeal and have made a submission against it.
The appeal is based on conservation issues. For more information see: Stratford-on-Avon District Council: Eplanning (click “Associated Documents” on menu tab and then “Appeals”.
PLANNING PRACTICE ADVICE NOTE TO PROTECT PUBLIC HOUSES
A Planning Practice Advice Note, submitted by Cllr Sarah Whalley-Hoggins to the Task and Finish Group in July 2023, was approved by the full Stratford Council on July 8th 2024. It strengthens redevelopment protection for pubs in the local area to prevent their ‘undue loss’. (See image of article below).
In support of this Advice Note, Councillor George Cowcher, Deputy Leader of Stratford District Council has said:
"This much-needed piece of work will allow the District Council to ensure it is enforcing planning policies to their full extent and preventing the loss of public houses that play such an important part in the lives of so many of our residents."
IF YOU ARE NOT SIGNED UP TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN UPDATES, please click here to sign up and support us.
Thank you very much to all our loyal supporters. Your help is much appreciated.
The Save the Fox and Hounds Campaign Team
Email: campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk
See below for Stratford Herald articles and Planning Advice note.
4 Ways You Can Help
Please spread the word that the Fox and Hounds Pub is under threat of permanent closure by sharing this website address www.savethefoxandhounds.org.uk and by posting on Facebook and other social media.
If you do not already receive our newsletters about the campaign and pop-up pubs, please sign up here now and encourage others to do so by distributing the Support Us page link.
Support our Pop-up Pubs. Details on Our Pop-Up Pubs.
Encourage potential pub buyers you may know to come forward to buy it and make it thrive again.
Our email address is:
campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk