Fresh plans unveiled to convert historic 'no longer viable' Haxey Hood pub

Plans have been submitted to change the Duke William pub in Haxey as the business is 'no longer financially viable.'

Controversial proposals to covert the pub to housing last year were thrown out after angry enthusiasts and supporters of the 700-year-old contest argued against them.

But now new plans have been submitted for the pub, one of four in the village and neighbouring Westwoodside that have taken part in the game for decades.

The yearly tradition, which takes place in January, sees regulars from the pubs attempt to win the game by getting the famed Haxey Hood – a leather cylinder – inside their favoured watering hole in a muddy and bruising battle.

Plans say the Duke William is now ‘financially unviable’ with plans to convert it into a residential building and erect six other houses on the land.

The latest proposal would see three four-bedroom and three three-bedroom properties erected around the pub.

The establishment is an Asset of Community Value, a building which is of social interest to the local community.

Campaigners convinced North Lincolnshire Council to stop the demolition of the pub in 2019.

The pub side of the business was forced to close shortly after, with the owner claiming that a community group had boycotted it over the development plans. However, officials denied they discouraged people from drinking there.

The planning application says that the new plans have been revised to be in keeping with the surrounding area, and the proposed bungalows have been redesigned as two-storey houses to prevent a modernising effect.

It states: "The Duke William Motel is no longer financially viable as the trade has been at a cumulative loss over the last year.

"The deficit has been accumulated through a steady decline instead of a sudden drop in sales, any attempt to relaunch the business would therefore be demonstrably likely to be unsuccessful.

"The loss of a community facility would be easily set off by the existing alternative, The Loco. This adjacent public house is located just a few metres away in Church Street.

"Therefore, the closure of The Duke William Motel as described would not cause any significant harm upon the local community and the local economy."