Eyesore pub disused for 11 years to become shared housing despite almost 200 objections
A village pub that has stood dormant and derelict for more than a decade is set to become a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) despite almost 200 objections from locals.
More than 185 people had objected to the plans to turn Highley's Castle Inn into shared housing for 17 people, but planners at Shropshire Council green lit the scheme this week.
The Castle Inn had once been a bubbling centre for social gatherings, but has been empty since 2013.
Last year, the disused inn went under the hammer with a guide price of £110,000.
But after developer Property Ventures submitted a planning application to change the derelict Castle Inn into 17 en suite bedrooms with shared kitchen and living areas, the move sparked a deluge of objections from locals.
They argued the village was not large enough to accommodate 17 more people due to pressures on the local GP surgery, schools and transport.
One said: “In no way is this proposal ever going to be beneficial to this village.
"Our doctors wouldn't cope with more people, trying to get an appointment. It is ridiculous. Schools too are already overcrowded.”
Another added: “I do not support this application as i do not see that having a HMO in Highley will bring any sort of benefit to the village.
“The parking around this area is already an issue, where will all these new people park their cars?”
Others said the village would be robbed of its pub that would 'reduce the community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs'.
Despite these objections, Shropshire Council's planning department approved the scheme on Wednesday.
Planners said that while the development would result in the loss of the pub, they added: “It has not traded for over 10 years and therefore it cannot be deemed to be a 'valued facility', and its permanent loss will 'not reduce the community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs'.”
They also said there would be 'adequate parking provision' provided for the proposed number of residents and that there would be 'no significant impact upon highway safety with only seventeen residents and therefore any impact cannot be deemed to be 'severe'.”
They added: “The HMO Licensing regime will ensure that the accommodation provided is suitable and is of an appropriate standard. There will be no adverse impact upon drainage, the residential amenity of the existing residential dwellings in the locality or any Protected Species.”
Work on the building is expected to begin later this year.
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