Plans to convert part of the historic Henry Jenkins Inn to housing have been resubmitted – in another attempt to sidestep planning controls designed to protect community facilities.
In June an application to downgrade part of the pub – including the restaurant area, part of the lounge bar, landlord’s living quarters above and most of the car park and beer garden – were dismissed by Harrogate Borough Council following more than 60 objections.
The decision notice states: “The proposal would result in the loss of a community facility (public house) thereby reducing the variety of locally based community facilities to the detriment of meeting the present and future social needs and aspirations of this rural community.”
It adds: “No evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the existing or alternative community use would cause unacceptable planning problems … or that there is no reasonable prospect of the use continuing on a viable basis or of a satisfactory alternative community use being secured.”
Now the same application has been resubmitted. The applicant’s letter argues permission should now be granted because:
- The pub’s been been standing empty for so long
- There hasn’t been a firm offer to buy it (not true – HJCC made a fully-funded offer to buy the HJ in December)
- There are plenty of other facilities in the village and “there’s no evidence the community cannot meet it’s day to day needs”
This is just another attempt by Mr Fielder to frustrate the wishes of local people and bypass planning policies designed to protect amenities in rural communities:
- He has trashed the interior of the pub, allowed the outside to fall into a ramshackle state and rejected numerous approaches from private buyers
- In December 2016 he submitted plans to demolish the pub, claiming it was no longer viable (His plans were rejected)
- In March 2017 he rebranded the pub as “offices” in an attempt to exploit a planning loophole that would have allowed him to demolish it anyway
- In December 2017 he rejected HJCC’s offer buy the Henry Jenkins for £180,000 (its full market value determined by a professional Valuation Report)
* The plan will be discussed by Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council tomorrow (Mon)