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CAMRA - North Hampshire Branch This Page:           Campaigns - The Plough Inn Last Updated: 29th May 2003   The Plough Inn, Ashmansworth Need for Vigilence. How you can help save the Plough.     It is now over 6 months since the appeal by the owner of the Plough at Ashmansworth was lost. He had failed to show that the pub was unviable and his application to convert to residential use was rejected. However, the pub is still at very serious risk. The value as a domestic residence is estimated to be between £350,000 and £375,000. The market value as a public house business would be around £220,000. These are figures from the official Planning Inspectorate's report. In order to show that the premises could not be viable as a pub the owner needs to show he has tried to sell at the pub price. Then, if no-one comes forward he can say - "See, no-one will run it as a pub" and he will be at liberty to show that it should be given change of use. His case will be greatly strengthened. With residential permission he will be free to sell to a property developer and move away with pockets jangling, or he may choose to live there ...then sell up. In both cases Ashmansworth will be left publess. Our strength is to remember that the Inspector wrote: "I conclude that the premises should be re-advertised for a reasonable period to establish whether or not the business could be sold at an acceptable market price". So has this been done? Is it happening? We have seen no marketing of the pub but of course the cynic would say that it would not be in the owner's interest to actually find a buyer! We have searched property agents and scoured websites but we have no evidence. Yet little birdies whisper in ears. Here is where everyone can help. Please let us know of any information that anyone knows on the possible sale of this pub, even if unconfirmed, we shall follow it up. The loss of Ashmansworth¹s last and only village pub must be resisted. Please call (in confidence) 01256 892650 or e-mail me on jpb.design@virgin.net John Buckley, Chairman, North Hampshire CAMRA     Click here to read the previous article on The Plough: October 30th 2002 Update  Please let us have your comments: Write to Us.   << BACK TO CAMPAIGNS ^ BACK TO TOP ^

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