A PUB which more than 300 residents fought to save will be demolished to make way for housing.
The Jolly Farmer off Woodrow Drive will be knocked down and replaced with 14 houses after Redditch Borough Council’s planning committee gave the move the go-ahead last Wednesday (September 10).
The outline planning application by Malvern Estates and Unique Pub Properties plans to transform the site into a variety of three bedroom and four bedroom homes, despite a petition by landlord Simon Carter to keep the pub open.
David Rahal, director of Malvern Estates, said the Jolly Farmer was not financially stable and currently runs at a loss.
He added the pub was advertised for sale nationally in February 2012 and was targeted at licensees but only housing developers showed any interest.
But resident Victor Daines argued it was the only local meeting place for residents in the area.
“Is 14 houses going to make a difference to Redditch?” she said.
“I’ve been using this pub for 42 years since the day it was opened, it is the only place people can meet in the whole area of Woodrow North.”
Coun Joe Baker said it was a decision he could not take lightly and he put forward a motion to reject the application because it would affect the social health and well-being of residents.
“I think time needs to be given here for another plan to be put forward, the community feel very strongly about this.” he said.
“We need to see how we can preserve this as a facility for the community.”
But Coun Michael Braley said he could not make someone keep a pub open when it was on the brink of closing.
Coun Jane Potter added she understood residents concerns but pubs were closing nationally and it was not just an issue isolated to Redditch.
