Calls to stop demolition of King's Head Inn in Pulham St Mary
More than 600 people have now signed a petition urging the council to reject the bid
Hundreds of people living in a Norfolk village are calling for plans to demolish a historic pub to be blocked.
Graham Scott, the landlord of the King’s Head Inn in Pulham St Mary, near Harleston, has lodged plans for its demolition with South Norfolk Council.
Mr Scott has made two failed attempts over the last decade to have parts of the Grade II listed building torn down to make way for new housing.
More than 600 people have now signed a petition urging the council to reject his latest bid.
Sheila Moss King, who launched the campaign, said: “We are deeply concerned about the proposed demolition of the pub. The importance of preserving historical buildings cannot be overstated.
“Our pub is a building that holds immense historical and community value for us and we want to see it retained and restored. We understand that change is inevitable but destroying a piece of history for short-term profit does not seem like a fair trade-off.
“We believe there are alternative solutions that could save the building and enhance the centre of our village.”
The pub closed more than 17 years ago and Mr Scott has previously said the planning stalemate has left him facing ‘virtual financial ruin’.
His latest effort in 2019 sought to see the pub purchased by the council. However, this request was refused as it could not be demonstrated that a new owner could not make a success of the business, which Mr Scott said became “loss-making”.
Clayton Hudson, South Norfolk councillor, said: “Mr Scott has not submitted enough information to demonstrate that the building could not be brought back into use as a public house and has never marketed it for sale at a realistic price.
“He needs to stop wasting everybody’s time and offer the former pub for sale to the community to allow them to restore the centre of the village for the benefit of everyone.”