A scheme to transform a long-closed public house in Craven into residential dwellings has received support from local householders.
The Wellington Pub Company lodged planning applications in January for the conversion of the Grade II-listed Cross Keys in East Marton, situated close to Skipton, into a pair of dwellings.
A determination on the submission remains pending.
The establishment, positioned alongside the A59 with views across the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, ceased trading at the beginning of 2020.
Despite attempts by two separate commercial property agents to secure a new tenant, the premises has remained unoccupied and has fallen into a state of increasing disrepair.
Local residents have offered mixed perspectives on the scheme.
One neighbour expressed that the plans would inject fresh purpose into a structure that has become increasingly run-down.
Another resident observed that witnessing the gradual decline of the building had been regrettable, noting that the village population was insufficient to sustain a viable public house.
This resident highlighted that two alternative establishments operate in relatively close proximity: the Tempest Arms in Elslack and The Bull in Broughton.
Constructed during the latter decades of the eighteenth century, the property encompasses a principal bar space, two dining sections, a four-bedroom manager’s apartment, two parking areas and an enclosed outdoor drinking area with canal vistas.
Supporting documentation submitted alongside the applications for full planning consent and listed building authorisation acknowledges that the premises has been completely unoccupied for an extended period and has deteriorated considerably.
Trading ceased in January 2020, preceding the emergence of the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent pressures experienced by the hospitality sector.
The application states that efforts to secure a tenant through marketing the property proved unsuccessful, with no meaningful interest received.
The submission observes that prolonged vacancy has resulted in an outdated property requiring extensive renovation works.
The scheme proposes the creation of two three-bedroom residential units.
The rear parking facility would be reconfigured to provide garden amenity space for each dwelling, while the front car parking provision would be retained and expanded into the existing raised terrace area.
The secondary parking compound, accessed via the roadway serving an adjacent equestrian business and cafe, would be eliminated and its vehicular access permanently closed.
Representatives for the Wellington Pub Company have indicated that continued vacancy would result in accelerated deterioration of the structure.
A marketing assessment conducted by Fleurets, specialists in leisure property transactions, documented that particulars of the premises were distributed to in excess of 6,500 potential interested parties.
The property featured on Fleurets’ online platform and a virtual tour was produced, documenting the condition of the building, which contributed to a decline in physical inspection requests.
Fleurets concluded that the scale of investment necessary to render the premises operational as a public house could not be justified given the restricted commercial prospects available to such a venue.