![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/we-live-by-iconic-400-yo-pub/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/newspress-collage-24241834-1696328695917.jpg&description=DROWN OUR SORROWS Published : 11:52, 3 Oct 2023 Updated : 11:52, 3 Oct 2023 LOCALS are devastated after councillors backed a scheme to tear down a 400 year old community pub and turn it into new homes. Feeling are running high in Redhill, Surrey after a handful of councillors backed plans to pull down the 16th century, Grade II listed, White Lion Public House. 1 One of the oldest pubs in Surrey will be turned into houses after just three councillors voted in favour of the plans Credit: Google It now looks set to become new homes , to the horror of locals who used to drink in the old pub. A Friends group set up on social media has accused the developer's of trying to cash in on the town's history. The decision to approve the application came down to the planning committee with chair Councillor Simon Parnall casting the deciding vote. Two councillors sided in favour with two against, and eight abstentions, reports Surrey Live . There were 136 letter of objection and 13 in support. Jonathan White, speaking on behalf of the Friends of White Lion, a community group set up in 2019 to protect the 'historic gem', said: "Put simply the applicant is seeking to monetise our history for their private financial gain.' He added: 'There was no reasonable chance of the building being brought back as a pub. The guide price of £575,000 or an annual rent of £39,000, was unrealistic. "The one thing that is missing in the report is any discussion of the asking price. 'Demand is a function of price and its quite clear the problem is not the pub, it's the price. At the right price the pub is viable. From the Friends perspective, the plans to make a community use purchase were rendered a complete non-starter by the money the applicant wanted. 'The property was bought by the applicant in 2018 for £525,000 and post covid, without the benefit of any capital improvements or additional planning permissions, but with the drawback of ongoing and worsening dilapidation, the price selected for the){kind=link}
LOCALS are devastated after councillors backed a scheme to tear down a 400 year old community pub and turn it into new homes.
Feeling are running high in Redhill, Surrey after a handful of councillors backed plans to pull down the 16th century, Grade II listed, White Lion Public House.
It now looks set to become new homes, to the horror of locals who used to drink in the old pub.
A Friends group set up on social media has accused the developer’s of trying to cash in on the town’s history.
The decision to approve the application came down to the planning committee with chair Councillor Simon Parnall casting the deciding vote.