The Story So Far…
The simple objective of the Save The Fox and Hounds Campaign is to get the pub open as our village community social hub and successful destination pub for the Cotswolds and beyond.
Our Campaign has been running since the pub was closed by the owners back in 2016.
The Fox and Hounds was only put on the market between December 2018 and June 2019, and we expected that it would sell and give the pub a new lease of life. In spite of receiving offers to buy the pub at prices at or above the professional valuation commissioned by Stratford District Council at that time, the owners have refused them all. The pub meanwhile has been allowed by the owners to fall into disrepair.
The Fox and Hounds before 2015
Opposing Planning Applications
The Campaign has opposed 3 applications from the owners to Stratford District Council to change the Fox and Hound’s use from a pub to private residential use.
1st Planning Application (2018): proposed change of use to 2 residential dwellings. Objections from 185 people were sent in. This application was withdrawn before a planning decision could be made.
2nd Planning Application (2021): proposed that only the B&B accommodation in the pub was converted to residential use. District Council rejected this application.
…and in recent years
3rd Planning Application (2022) to change the Fox and Hounds into 2 residential properties was refused by Stratford District Council on 21st June 2023 at a Planning Committee Meeting. The Campaign team was accompanied by 40 to 50 supporters at the meeting and showed the Committee that the Campaign continues to have strong and determined support. Over 220 objections had been sent in both from Little and Great Wolford and many surrounding villages. For a summary, see our Plannng Objections page.
We have also set up a Facebook page and the Campaign has featured twice on BBC Midlands Today – and we expect it to do so again.
4th Planning Application (2023). This Application is to change the Fox and Hounds into a single residential dwelling. It is currently being considered by Stratford District Council. For an update on how the Campaign is fighting this application, please see our Home Page.