THE owner of a closed pub in Little Birch is appealing against the council’s refusal to permit her to turn in it into a five-bedroom home.

Dee Langford, owner of the Castle Inn was told by county planners last month that she had provided insufficient evidence that pub, which closed in 2020, “is no longer required, viable, or fit for purpose.

She had also failed to show the pub had been sufficiently marketed at a realistic price as a pub, or that an alternative venue was available nearby – so conflicting with local, county and national policy.

Ms Langford has now taken the case to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have the refusal overturned.

Her appeal states that the pub’s declining trade, failed reopening, prolonged closure and unsuccessful marketing had not been given sufficient weight by Herefordshire Council.

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The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the appeal will be by written representations rather than an in-person inquiry.