19/02/2014 - Permalink

Renovation of The Pheasant Inn at Neenton to go ahead

Related topics: Community

Long-standing plans to renovate The Pheasant Inn in Neenton are set to become a reality after Shropshire Council agreed that the developer of seven houses at the back of the pub does not need to pay the ‘community infrastructure levy’ (CIL), and that profits from the development could therefore be put towards the renovation of the Inn.

This means that the Inn, which has been unoccupied since 2006, could be renovated and back in use by summer 2014.

The renovation of The Pheasant Inn to allow its use as a community asset has long been a priority of the Neenton Community Society. To help make this possible, a planning application for seven houses on land at the rear of The Pheasant – to be carried out by Shropshire Housing Group – was submitted in December 2012, with the aim of using the profits in the renovation of the Inn.

Normally a residential development in Shropshire would be liable for CIL, a non-negotiable charge to help fund supporting infrastructure. But, relief from CIL can be granted in some, limited, circumstances, such as where the development is by a charity and for charitable purposes, or a development can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

Following extensive discussions between Shropshire Council, Neenton Community Society and the Shropshire Housing Group, it was suggested that Exceptional Circumstances Relief from CIL may be suitable for the development, as it would contribute to the renovation of The Pheasant Inn, identified as a local infrastructure priority through the planning process.

In February 2013 a formal application for Exceptional Circumstances Relief was submitted to Shropshire Council, who ruled that the development was eligible, provided an appropriate Section 106 Agreement (S106) was completed.

The planning application was approved in May 2013 and an appropriate S106 completed in December 2013.

In January 2014 Shropshire Council approved the application for Exceptional Circumstances Relief, meaning the plans to renovate the Inn can now become a reality.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing, said:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to approve the application for CIL relief, and that work to renovate the Pheasant Inn can now begin.”

Jake Berriman, Chief Executive of Shropshire Housing Group, said:

“Shropshire Housing Group is extremely proud to have played our part in an effective partnership with Shropshire Council and the local community that will result in the refurbishment and transfer of a much valued community asset back into the hands of the community itself, to hopefully run for many years to come.

“We wish them every success in the future and hope that this project can act as an exemplar for other communities looking to undertake community-led development, and that we may again be seen as a trusted and effective partner for them.”

Robert Tindall, Shropshire Councillor for Brown Clee division, said:

“I am delighted that the builders are on site and that the pub is likely to re-open this summer.  I have been very proud to have played a part in this project and look forward to the return of a much-needed local facility- not just as a pub but as a community facility.”