The community of Blackheath, a few miles south east of Guildford, has fighting to save its pub, appropriately named the Villagers. The pub was originally closed in 2011 so that part of the site could be redeveloped as housing. Planning permission was grated on proviso that a smaller pub is created. Over a decade later the pub has not reopened leaving a hole at the centre of the neighbourhood.

The developers and Waverley Council have been trying to change the planning permission to totally do away with the pub against the wishes of the community. This decision has been subject to a judicial review which found against the Council. In the latest developments the Council is again trying to rob the community of this vital asset.

Marion Payne-Bird of the Blackheath Village Society has issued the following appeal.

The Blackheath Village Society is serious about saving its pub the Villagers. Having already successfully defended one bad planning decision by Waverley Council, we now find ourselves in the shocking position of having to do it all again and have lodged a second appeal to the high court against an even worse decision by the Council. We could really do with financial support in our quest for justice and for this reason have set up a Crowd Justice funding campaign. Could you please forward this link to those that care about saving our pubs and community spaces. Any queries or questions, please get back to me.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-the-villagers-pub/

Thanking you in anticipation

Kevin Travers the Surrey/Hants Borders CAMRA Pubs Officer included the following update in his AGM report.

This has been a long running campaign since the pub closed in April 2011. Most of the site has already been redeveloped as housing but with the proviso that part was retained as a pub. Whilst the houses have been built, the pub has never reopened and last year the local community won a judicial review against the Council for granting planning permission to convert the pub element to housing.

Following the conclusion of the judicial review the Council reconsidered the application. I submitted a further objection, which highlighted the lack of firm evidence about viability and the ongoing unwillingness of the owner to sell the premises at a realistic market price,reflecting the potential viability as a pub. I also included new information from CAMRA centrally around pub opening figures and highlighted the Barley Mow, The Sands as an excellent example of a successful pub recently purchased and run by the local community.

Disappointingly despite the number and strength of objections the Council approved the planning application. The Blackheath Village Society (BVS) now want to take the approval to a further judicial review as they consider the decision flawed. I agree that the Council has acted disgracefully and the decision is certainly open to challenge. However, any action in the courts is bound to be very costly and funding for this would need to come from what the community can raise themselves, as there are no sources of funding for legal action like this. They have therefore recently launched a Crowdfunder to see if they can raise sufficient monies to fight this decision.

Having been closed for a lengthy period the Bee reopened in mid November. Three real ales normally on - Timothy Taylor Landlord and Sharp’s Doom Bar as regulars, plus a guest beer. Food is due to be reintroduced in 2023.

After 16 years as the Albany, the pub reverted to its former name of the Rats Castle following a refurbishment and rebranding. The focus is on televised sport with beer and pizza takeaway and delivery offered; no real ale.

Situated close to the Hogs Back between Farnham and Guildford the Jolly Farmer was an independent pub restaurant and before that a harvester. The pub closed and is rumoured to be reopening later in the year as the Pickled Pig. It is not yet clear if this is a restaurant, bar or shop

The pub has been taken over my a new management team. Bob Todd, was previously landlord of the Good Beer Guide listed New Inn, Basingstoke so comes with a good pedigree. Initially opening restricted hours offering drinks and snacks, but this will be developed as the pub becomes re-established.

Having been in the ownership of the Sturt family for over a century. Sadly, this came to an end in September, when Conrad and Helga sold the pub to Young’s. Initial reports suggest there remains a good choice of beers, but it remains to be seen whether the pub will retain its unique local identity or become another identikit pub company managed house.

The Crown reopened in August as a Craft Union (Stonegate) pub. Just Sharp’s Doom Bar on offer initially though a guest beer is planned.

Reopened as Fox & Finch, part of Greene King's Metropolitan Pub Company Division

The pub has been purchased by Youngs, not yet sure if this will spell the end of their popular Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter.

Reopened by the landlord and landlady who previously ran Star, Witley. Three changing real ales from national breweries.

Support Hampshire Beer Week at the Pub - 18th to 22nd October

During the 3rd week of October the Royal Staff will be showcasing a selection of Hampshire brewed beers, with 2/3 available at any one time and customers being encouraged to vote for their favourite. The Branch will be holding a social event there on Wednesday 20th October from 7.30pm, all welcome to join us.

This is all part of a fantastic turnaround in the fortune of the pub since new landlord Milo Wheller arrived in the Summer. Real ale has been reintroduced, with a single changing guest beer to ensure quality and sufficient turnover. Areal community focus and buzz has returned to the pub again.

However, the owner of the Royal Staff is still far from committed to the future of the Royal Staff as a community pub. A planning application was submitted to Rushmoor Borough Council seeking permission to convert the Royal Staff into a shop. There was absolutely nothing in the application in terms of justifying the change of use or repudiating Rushmoor's excellent Pub Protection Policy. Therefore it was little surprise that the application was refused with the Council indicating that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate there there is no-longer term need for the public house.

This really is a case of use it or loose it.

At their meeting on 18th August Rushmoor Council refused planning permission to convert the pub into flats. Overall there were 52 public comments on the application and all 52 were objections.

The key policy reason for the refusal was that the “application has not been supported by sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there is no-longer term need for the public house. In this regard, the proposal conflicts with… [Rushmoor’s planning policies]… and would thereby give rise to the loss of a community facility.”

This is a great result but we can expect the owners to react in some way, either via an appeal or amended application. However, the work done on this by the local community to date has been excellent. The Community Group looking to buy the pub remains active and is still working hard to secure the long term future of the White Lion as a pub.

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Dear White Lion supporter,

Following our last email update in May, we now have confirmed developments. The White Lion has definitely been sold and the owner has applied for planning permission to convert the building into four flats.

Our campaign now has immediate objectives:

• To prevent the proposed change of use from a pub; and

• To hammer home the point that we need the White Lion to open once again as a thriving community local.

The web address to find the planning application is here

Now is the time to object to the planning application and this update is to provide you with relevant information that will assist you in submitting an effective objection. The last day for submitting your objection is Wednesday 11th August, so please don’t delay.

Please note that the “Your Comment:” field allows just 500 characters (not words) so you will need to choose one or two points that are important to you and keep your comments brief, restrained and to the point.

Inadequate parking, unacceptable density, employment loss

If you are local to the White Lion you might want to point out that this is an over development, in an area without adequate parking and is not the right use for this site, especially as it takes away local employment opportunities.

Contrary to government and local policies

Emphasise that the Council has pro-pub protection policies that they need to enforce. Those policies require the White Lion to remain a pub unless it is clear that it is not viable or there is an adequate alternative nearby. All the local pubs, in North Town and Heron Wood have closed, there is no suitable alternative.

The key point we suggest you make is that you want your pub back. You want the White Lion to remain a pub, the community needs the White Lion to remain a pub and the new owner of the White Lion has bought a pub, not a development site.

Tell the Council to make it clear to the owner that they will not get permission to convert our pub to flats and the owner should either run the pub themselves, we will support them, or let us as the local community do it.

This update is being sent to our 202 White Lion supporters and with your direct assistance we can defeat the planning application and demonstrate the strength of feeling for making the White Lion a thriving community pub once again.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Regards, Phillip Duke, Chair On behalf of the Management Committee, Aldershot Community Pub Limited (ACPL)

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