A bid to reopen a village pub near York which has been shut since last year has been given the go ahead by councillors.
The application to licence The Fox Inn, in Stockton on the Forest, was approved by York councillors yesterday (Monday).
Philippa Myers, one of the village residents behind the plans, told councillors approval would allow them to reopen a central community hub that has been missed since it closed.
Applicants Ms Myers and Kate Starkey agreed to change the pub’s weekday opening hours after seven objections were lodged from its neighbours over late night noise concerns.
Approval of the application from Ms Myers’ and Ms Starkey’s business Fox and Forest Ltd, paves the way for the pub’s reopening after it closed in August last year.
It comes after councillors designated the pub an asset of community value (ACV) last month following an application from York’s Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch.
The status, typically granted to buildings providing recreation, culture or sports facilities, gives organisations the opportunity to raise money to buy them if they go up for sale.
The Fox Inn is set to open until 11.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, with sales of drinkings ending half an hour before.
It would be permitted to open until 2am on New Year’s Eve.
Beer garden closed
Councillors heard the pub would be closed on Mondays, with its licence allowing it to open from 10am the rest of the week.
Applicant Ms Starkey told the licensing hearing they would look at opening the pub on Mondays ahead of next year’s bank holiday season.
She added the pub’s beer garden would initially remain closed but the applicants have plans to eventually bring it back into use.
Councillors heard the pub would offer food, with the licensing application stating it would have space to seat around 50 patrons indoors.
Applicant Ms Myers said the pub would be fully refurbished when it reopens, with fruit machines removed to create a more relaxed environment.
She added an experienced leaseholder would run The Fox Inn and they were all aiming to restore the pub’s good name and alleviate neighbours’ concerns.
Ms Myers said: “This pub means a lot to us, it’s clear to see how much it’s been missed and there’s been an outpouring of support from locals.
“We want to bring back something that’s been of great value to the community ever since it opened in 1866, it’s what our little village deserves.
“Getting just seven objections is reassuring, we don’t want people falling out of the doors at 3am.”
The meeting heard one of the objections lodged against the application was withdrawn ahead of it going before councillors.
But one said they remained concerned about late night noise comig from the pub if it is able to open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
They said: “I welcome the fact that weekday opening hours has been curtailed, which is entirely appropriate for a village setting.
“However, allowing the premises to open until 1am on Friday and Saturday would create an unreasonable risk of disturbance to residents.
“There may be occasions when extended hours are justified but I strongly feel these should be applied for on a case-by-case basis.”
No objections were lodged by North Yorkshire Police and the applicants agreed to measures including installing colour CCTV following discussions with the force.
