Home Page Pub News Campaigns Articles Surveys Beer Festivals Breweries Diary Contact Us   Hampshire Travel   Trading Standards   Admin Area Branch Map

CAMRA - North Hampshire Branch This Page:           Campaigns - The Plough Inn Last Updated: 24th September 2002   The Plough Inn, Ashmansworth Plough Appeal Hearing     The appeal on the refusal to grant planning permission for a change of use at the PLOUGH INN at Ashmansworth was heard in front of an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for the DTLR on September 19th. Attended by CAMRA and other interested parties, little was added by the owner Dave Davies or his advisers that hadn't been previously aired and it is certainly CAMRA's opinion that the Council's decision was the correct one. It is clear that the marketing of this excellent country pub leaves something to be desired and that perhaps under a different business strategy the pub could be a resounding success. Non-viability of the business was the main reasoning of the owner. It is also clear that an aim is to use the rising prices of residential property to make a substantial profit at the expense of the village pub. CAMRA believes the property should be put on the market AS A PUB at a realistic asking price, and that change of use should only be considered if no one comes forward. However the pub was last on the market 3 years ago at £350,000, then at £290,000 and failed to sell, while a truer valuation is in the region of £200,000. The written submissions by local Ashmansworth residents also make interesting reading, many mentioning that people have been made unwelcome. In similar circumstances other pubs have used reduced custom in order to show non-viability as a public house. Food for thought. The final decision will be made by the Inspector within the next couple of months. We hope it is the right one and that the Plough remains a public house.     AND THIS MAKES ONE WONDER... Meantime, while Dave Davies maintains that the rural pub cannot survive, we hear of what is effectively a new rural pub opening. Just six miles from the Plough is the BRITISH OAK at Smannell, near Andover. This has been closed for several years and has fallen into disrepair. However, Wadworth & Co, the owners, have now submitted an application to rebuild parts of the pub and thus re-open it. This is very welcome news and flies in the face of those who say the rural pub is no longer a viable proposition. Are you listening up in Ashmansworth? The basic layout is to remain with the old front bar and games area being combined to make a larger single room. Behind this will be a small dining area with a terrace outside, while the old lounge will be used mainly as a new kitchen. Upstairs the four main rooms will remain for the landlord's use. John Buckley Chairman, North Hampshire CAMRA     Click here to read the previous article on The Plough: August 1st 2002 Update Please let us have your comments: Write to Us.   << BACK TO CAMPAIGNS ^ BACK TO TOP ^

Join us on.... or follow us on....   North Hampshire Pubs Album   Good Beer Guide 2012   National Beer Scoring System   Join CAMRA today