PLEASE HELP OUR CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE FOX & HOUNDS PUB

In 2016 the Fox and Hounds, a 17th-century much-loved Cotswold pub, was closed by its owners and has never reopened. A recent Planning Appeal Decision has given the owners permission to turn the pub into 2 houses despite these facts:

• The Fox and Hounds has current offers to buy it at, and above, its value as a pub

• There is compelling evidence from a comparative and successful local pub that the Fox and Hounds is financially viable.

• Stratford District Council Planners recommended refusal of this Application on conservation grounds

… and this is in a village which has no need for more houses

Can’t be true? Oh yes it can …and the following shows why this decision defies belief:

400 years as an historic much-loved Cotswold village destination pub

4 Applications by the owners over 6 years for change of use to residential opposed by the Wolfords Joint Parish Council and Campaign --- and refused by Stratford District Council

1,000 objections letters from the local community opposing all the Applications; £20,000 to date fundraised from over 50 Campaign Pop-up Pubs to pay legal costs to date; 2 ACVs

3 similar size – or smaller – local village destination pubs have been purchased by experienced pub landlords in last 2 years. They are operating successfully in this Cotswold tourist area (as are 16 more).

There have been 5 offers to buy the Fox and Hounds -- at or above market value -- and 2 offers are CURRENT. They have ALL been refused or ignored by the owners.

IN SPITE OF ALL OF THE ABOVE ...

... there has now been an Appeal Decision to give permission to convert the pub to 2 houses – which will allow the owners to make a considerable profit while a viable historic pub disappears forever.

This travesty of justice WILL happen unless a Statutory Review is held to overturn the Appeal Decision – a Decision our Campaign barrister has advised has substantive grounds for us to challenge.

We need your help please to raise £20,000 urgently for legal fees for a Statutory Review to save the Fox and Hounds. Any donation, large or small, will help us to do this.

Thanking you in anticipation of your help,

The Save the Fox and Hounds Campaign Team

To find out more about the story of this Campaign and sign up for updates:

WEBSITE www.savethefoxandhounds.org.uk