Reopening of pub met with local opposition

TEMPORARY HOUSING AT SITE VIEWED AS PROBLEM

- By LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

AN application to reopen a once popular Cornish pub has been met with resistance from some nearby residents.

They are concerned by the pub's close proximity to a group of vulnerable people who are housed in temporary accommodation at the rear of the premises.

Max Venables, of MV Properties SW Ltd, has applied to Cornwall Council for a premises licence to reopen The Croft Inn, at Hatt, near Saltash, which was previously known as The Cardinal's Hatt and The Holland Inn.

The council has received seven representations from locals who fear the pub reopening “will make an already volatile situation even worse”.

However, the applicant has stated: “We genuinely feel we will not contribute to the existing issues, which are beyond our control, as a result of having a premises licence for The Croft.

“Indeed, the proximity of such housing may actually be to the detriment of the business, but being a socially conscious business owner we do not wish to deprive those in need by concentrating our efforts on a single licensed business.

“Instead, we propose running both entities concurrently, ensuring the protection of the potentially vulnerable groups living in our shadow as well as the provision of a quality public house in a community where pubs are closing far too often.”

Devon and Cornwall Police were not against the licence as long as additional conditions were added, which have been agreed by MV Properties SW Ltd. These include amending the opening hours to 11am to midnight each day, instead of a 1am closure. Cornwall Council’s environmental health officer wanted the playing of music reduced from 1am to 11pm due to the nearby temporary housing, which was also agreed by the applicant.