Red Lion Hotel Meeting 2018 Public Comments
Minutes of Oakford Parish Meeting held Wednesday, 22nd August concerning the planning applications 18/01103 FULL & 18/01104/LBC with reference to the Red Lion Hotel.
Chairman John Phillips
The meeting began with an address from the owner and applicant Andy Cooling -:
He had purchased and then renovated the property investing a further £148K. The property lost £15K in the first year and was then let to a tenant on a short term lease. He has decided to put on the open market as with the ongoing keep and maintenance the investment has proved not cost effective. He had also subsequently tried the business as a B&B. Since trying to sell 2 offers had been received – the first was well below expectations and the other had not materialised. Considering the location and the lack of parking at the property he felt the only alternative was to seek a” Change of Use” to that of residential.
Giles Hetherington
He was not in favour of reopening the premises as a public house as profit is essential to any business and this one could not survive on that of wet sales. He also drew attention to a number of unfounded rumours circulating and blamed a lack of patronage and support for the owner having to take this decision.
Richard Brain
He was strongly against any change of use as this would mean a permanent loss to the community. It was a social pub and a community asset and he refuted the evidence given against. If it could be bought at a reasonable price he believed that it was still a viable concern.
Richard Sloggett
He supported the pub and had made many friends there. It was apt at this time to remember those commemorated by the village war memorial and perhaps as well as remembering the past generations we should consider provision for the community of the future.
Andrew Dale-Harris
As a fairly successful entrepreneur he described ventures of which he had been part. He felt that the key was to market a business at a realistic price and then a purchaser/tenant had opportunity to make a reasonable return. Every pub in England he believed might be worth more as a private residence but that was contrary to the original concept. He suggested that further independent valuations should be sought for the property as a public house.
Andy Cooling
He had employed Christies to market the property and gone with their advice and formal valuation of £375K.
Robin Nichol
North Devon is made up of a number of small communities and as such these are dependent on such places as a central focus for social life. He felt that the application for Change of Use was being sought too early.
Kevin Holdom
He was grateful for Andy having taken the establishment on in 2013 and was among the residents who had helped in the then refurbishment. He believed that it had been well supported both by clubs, organisations and individuals. Other establishments are not easily accessible by public transport and therefore this application should be refused and reconsidered after 12 months elapse.
Tracey Holmes
She wondered why Mr Cooling had not taken the pub in hand when the lease ended.
Derek Boldry
He queried the marked difference in valuation figures £220K in 2013 to that of the current value which the owner was quoting.
Steve Caddy
He had moved here partly because the pub was within walking distance and a vibrant place to go. He urged people to comment on the MDDC website. He wondered whether it should be considered a community asset and asked what advice the council had taken on planning procedures.
Rob Gilmore
He said that he was constantly being asked by visitors for directions to the pub which indicated the importance in the area.
Angela Hill
The pub in East Anstey has closed, the Jubilee Inn has variable opening hours and the locals had resorted to the Red Lion for social events.
Tracey Rich
She felt that it was important to see the financial records before coming to a conclusion on the viability of the business. These needed to be independently audited.
Paul Chappell
He gave a long delivery based a personal understanding of the business and highlighted inaccuracies quoted in the planning application. A full copy of his submission is available from the clerk but suffice to say he was vehemently against any change of use.
Trisha Bailey
There was no way that the pub was run down when the last lease holders vacated and any implication of criminal damage was unfounded.
Jennie Chappell
The accusations of criminal damage to property were untrue. The owner had previously accepted that the condition of the carpets and fireplace were due to wear and tear. The damaged furniture quoted had been in authorised storage and not been used by the at all by the leaseholder .
The meeting was then closed and followed by a Parish Council Planning Meeting