35 Bucks pubs granted special protection to remain community hubs
Buckinghamshire Council have designated 35 pubs as assets of community value, offering them added protection against development
A total of 35 pubs across Buckinghamshire have been designated as assets of community value (ACVs) by Buckinghamshire Council.
This designation, which lasts for five years, ensures that these pubs are afforded additional protection from potential redevelopment.
Under this status, these pubs cannot be easily sold or converted into alternative uses such as residential flats without additional scrutiny.
When an ACV-listed pub comes up for sale, community interest groups are given the opportunity to pause the sale for six months, allowing them time to raise funds or develop a business plan to purchase the pub.
Currently, there are notices of intention to dispose of two ACV pubs: the Bull and Butcher in Akeley and the Derehams Inn in Loudwater, High Wycombe. The Derehams Inn, which has been closed since 2021, has been the subject of a community campaign. A bid to purchase the pub has seen approximately £100,000 pledged by local supporters.
The application for ACV status at the Derehams Inn notes: “The Derehams Inn is the last remaining pub in Loudwater, and although currently closed, it was the hub of the community for 20-plus years.” The six-month moratorium period for the community group to develop a proposal and raise funds to acquire the Derehams Inn ends on 21 December this year.
Other pubs listed as ACVs include the Bird In Hand in Princes Risborough, which has been described as “a warm and vibrant community space.” The pub's representatives stated: “Events and street food pop-ups keep things exciting for our locals, whilst also attracting new faces each week. In the summer months, the garden is absolutely buzzing. We proudly support our brilliant, local microbreweries and sustainable distilleries across the UK.”
The Squirrel on Squirrel Lane in High Wycombe is another pub listed as an ACV. Tanya and Jon from the pub commented: “We are so proud of our amazing pub. We thank all our locals for the incredible support they continue to offer throughout our journey at The Squirrel. We are also incredibly appreciative of those that come from far and wide to try out our delicious food and drink offering. Long may it continue!”
The full list of ACV pubs in Buckinghamshire includes:
Glasses of light and dark beer on a pub background. Atmospheric twilight setting in the bar. Stock photo (Stoke Poges)
The Lions of Bledlow (Bledlow)
The Squirrel (Amersham)
The Swan (Great Horwood)
The Golden Eagle (Ashley Green)
The Bird in Hand (Princes Risborough)
The Rose & Crown (Stoke Poges)
The Boot (Bledlow Ridge)
The Crown (Cuddington)
The Lion of Beaconsfield (Knotty Green)
The Three Crowns (Askett)
The Bull (Stoke Mandeville)
The Golden Cross (Saunderton)
The Woolpack (Stoke Mandeville)
The Bull and Butcher (Akeley)
The King’s Head (Haddenham)
The Plough (Cadsden)
Fleur de Lis (Stokenchurch)
Rising Sun (Haddenham)
Derehams Inn (Loudwater)
The Eight Bells (Long Crendon)
The Carpenters Arms (Stewkley)
The Red Lion (Longwick)
The Crown (Radnage)
The Bell (Chearsley)
The Unicorn (Cublington)
The Squirrel (High Wycombe)
Clifden Arms (Worminghall)
The Rising Sun (Ickford)
The Swan (Stewkley)
The Fox Country Inn (Ibstone)
The Rose & Crown (Wingrave)
The Green Man (Mursley)
The George and Dragon (Quainton)
The White Swan (Whitchurch)