Fight to save vital Haxey Hood pub from closure

Planners at North Lincolnshire Council have recommended the proposals for converting the Duke William pub in Haxey into housing go ahead.

A report to the council's planning committee '“ to be held on Wednesday, October 31 - say the plans met a need for local homes and there were other facilities which were capable of '˜meeting the day to day needs of the local community.'

It added: 'Whilst there are elements of the scheme that are not policy compliant, the proposal would contribute to the delivery of housing for which there is a clear need. Presumption is therefore in favour of the development given the existing built form on site and the limited impact upon the street scene.' 

However The We Live Here '“ Haxey Community Group has pledged to keep fighting to save the closure and loss of the pub. 

Campaigners fear the loss of the pub would jeopardise the future of the historic Haxey Hood by leaving the number of pubs contesting the historic game, which dates from 1359, reduced to just two.

Chairman of the group, David Dawes, said before the meeting:  'We are currently preparing to attend the planning committee to reiterate our objections and to make very clear the detrimental effect this decision would have on the residents and visitors to Haxey and its impact on the social wellbeing and long term sustainability of the village. There are good reasons to refuse the application on planning grounds and we will not give up the fight to make sure the right decision is made.'

Around 200 people attended a public meeting on the plans earlier this year. The plans were revised and now aim to erect seven two-bedroomed detached bungalows and a two-storey detached dwelling adjacent to the Duke William, and change the use of the main building of the Duke William to residential use. The pub's landlord, Paul Chapman, did not return calls for comment.