Licensee upset by application refusal

Dave Redfern of the Three Nuns in Powick Worcestershire, was in favour of the application as he felt it would help increase footfall.

"The village is growing, there are hundreds of houses being built and, with the cost of rent, we are struggling to make ends meet. The shop would have gone in place of a derelict building that needed knocking down anyway and I would have gained more space for car parking," he said. "We are all for it as it might have created more trade for us and we are on a long-term lease so NewRiver would have had to purchase part of that lease off me."

Planning application

NewRiver Retail submitted the application to build a Co-op behind the pub last autumn. However, more than 40 residents objected to the plan, submitted to Malvern Hills District Council, citing increased traffic as one of the main reasons for turning the application down.

Redfern considered asking for a possible reduction in business rates if the application was successful. However, he is now worried about the future of the pub if NewRiver does not appeal the planning decision. "I just want to know as we are in a quandary and I am concerned they will force me out, knock the pub down and build houses on the site."

NewRiver communication

He was also critical about a lack of communication from NewRiver. "I knew about the application but the customers told me it had gone to planning and been refused, I would have thought NewRiver would have phoned me to let me know."

At the time of the Publican's Morning Advertiser ​going to press, NewRiver Retail was unavailable for comment.