Please help us to save our Pub.

The Fox and Hounds Pub in Great Wolford, Warwickshire, is at risk of being closed forever.

The Save the Fox & Hounds Campaign is working to keep this much-loved Cotswolds gem in its place at the heart of the community. Once a successful destination pub with fabulous food and a B and B, it can again be a thriving business.

The Fox and Hounds is in a beautiful North Cotswold village in a conservation area (AONB) . This wonderful pub dates back to the 17th century and was an award-winning example of a rural business at its best. The Fox & Hounds was a magnet for locals as well as a destination pub for those from miles away. This historic inn, with its old beams and fireplace, was the beating heart of the surrounding village communities.

PLEASE SEE UPDATE BELOW

Planning Application news: Updated 8th April 2024

Dear Supporters
Since our last update, you have no doubt been aware of the activity concerning the Fox and Hounds Campaign.  Here's a summary of what has been happening:

1. FOX & HOUNDS OWNERS’ APPEAL AGAINST REFUSAL OF APPLICATION (22/03071/FUL)
The owners of the Fox and Hounds recently appealed against the refusal (in June last year) of their 2022 application. It was for change of use to 2 dwellings.
 
If you sent in an objection to that application last year, you will have received a personal letter /email informing you about the appeal. It says you have the right " to modify or withdraw your previous representation” and send it to the Planning Inspectorate.   
 
We are taking legal advice to fight this appeal and will be able to give you guidance about this soon, so please wait until we contact you again with more information before you send anything in.  Thank you. 
 
In the meantime, if you want to know more about the appeal which is based on conservation issues, here is a link to the appeal documents on the SDC E-planning website. Stratford-on-Avon District Council: Eplanning (click “Associated Documents” on menu tab and then “Appeals”.)

We will keep you posted on the appeal.

 
2. SDC's INVALIDATION OF PLANNING APPLICATION (23/01922/FUL)
As we reported recently, the owners’ 2023 application (for change of use to a single dwelling) was invalidated the day before the SDC Committee Meeting on the 20th March 2024. We now have a statement from SDC on the specific reasons (below). SDC’s invalidation was a direct result of the Parish Council / Campaign barrister's legal challenge about lack of marketing information on their application.

Statement from SDC
 On Sunday 17th March 2024 legal advice, in the form of a Counsel’s opinion, was submitted to the Council. In light of this, a meeting between Planning and Legal Officers on Tuesday 19th March 2024 identified that the application was invalid as marketing information had not been submitted with the application. The Council’s Local List requires that marketing information is submitted “For applications which involve the loss of community facilities, such as shops, pubs, medical and leisure”; the fact that marketing information had not been submitted means that it fails to meet the Local List and therefore is not a valid planning application and could not therefore be determined by the Planning Committee.

A strong formal complaint against SDC has been lodged by the Wolford's Joint Parish Council.

Best wishes
The Save the Fox and Hounds Campaign Team

PS:  Please save the date for our next Pop-up Pub — Saturday 4th May, 6.30pm on the Village Green. We will be serving fish and chips. More information to follow. 

IF YOU ARE NOT SIGNED UP ON THIS WEBSITE TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN UPDATES Please click here to sign up to support us. Thank you very much for your support

The Save the Fox and Hounds Campaign Team
Email: campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk Website: www.savethefoxandhounds.org.uk

THE STRATFORD HERALD HAS PUBLISHED ARTICLES ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN: See below.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BACKGROUND TO THE CAMPAIGN, PLEASE GO TO THE STORY SO FAR ON THIS WEBSITE.

4 Ways You Can Help

  1. Please spread the word that the Fox and Hounds Pub is under threat of permanent closure by sharing this website address www.savethefoxandhounds.org.uk and by posting on Facebook and other social media.

  2. If you do not already receive our newsletters about the campaign and pop-up pubs, please sign up here now and encourage others to do so by distributing the Support Us page link.

  3. Support our Pop-up Pubs. Details on Our Pop-Up Pubs.

  4. Encourage potential pub buyers you may know to come forward to buy it and make it thrive again.

    Our email address is:
    campaign@savethefoxandhounds.org.uk