Pub owners slam protesters

The owners of a Shropshire country pub have launched a bitter attack on villagers who campaigned against its closure, declaring that their "protestations and posturing" are in vain and suggesting objectors "get on with their lives". Steve (right) and Anna Jackson, who own The Swan at Frodesley, say critics who won a battle to stop the pub being converted into a house will have to watch it fall into ruin.

The comments were made in a strongly worded letter written to a planning officer at Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council after the Jacksons heard that their conversion plans were to be recommended for refusal.

Councillors agreed with the recommendation and threw out the scheme at a planning meeting last night. There were 67 letters of objection to the proposal from furious residents who said there had been a pub at the site for more than 100 years.

In their letter, dated September 8, the Jacksons said that they would not be attending last night's meeting, nor would they appeal against a refusal.

The letter adds: "However, I would like to point out to all you people in the planning department and all the others from the parishes who have objected to the 'change of use' that your actions will not bring The Swan back.

"It appears that no one has picked up on the point that we own the Swan and have no intention of selling the property for less than what it owes us."

The Jacksons state they have left the county and have no intention of returning to Shropshire or reopening The Swan.

"Therefore, all the protestations and posturing against our application are in vain as far as the pub becoming a 'facility' again is concerned.

"At some point in time, people will get fed up of looking at an ugly empty building, watching it falling into disrepair and will agree that conversion to something of use, ie a house, will be better for the village.

"Until that time we are getting on with our lives and suggest the objectors of the parishes do the same."

By Alys Cummings

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