THE new owners of a Great Warford pub have told planning chiefs that its proposal to create 14 bedrooms at the venue would be the ‘only way’ to make the business viable.

Ribble Valley Inns was granted planning permission in November 2016 for alterations to the Stag’s Head public house, including conversion and extension of the existing barn to form a new restaurant as well as four hotel bedrooms.

But the application has been resubmitted to include an additional 10 bedrooms within an annex building.

A document supporting the application states the 10 additional bedrooms Ribble Valley Inns would produce a 20.7 per cent profit, while the previous planning permission without the 10 bedrooms calculated a two per cent profit.

The company added: “This would generate a net profit of £362,000 for Ribble Valley Inns annually with a 20 per cent return on the investment. This would take five years to repay and is the only financially viable option.”

And bosses at Ribble Valley Inns, co-owned by Michelin-starred chef Nigel Haworth and award-winning wine authority Craig Bancroft., said refusal of the proposal could result in them pulling the plug on the Stag’s Head.

“Refusal of the scheme would mean that Ribble Valley Inns would have to reconsider the scheme proposal in totality as without the bedrooms, the scheme is not financially viable,” it added.

“As a result, the pub would remain vacant and a result in the loss of a village pub.

“The reasoning the extension and extra bedrooms are required is to ensure a viable businesses and that a deliverable development can be achieved.”

Supporting the application Andrew White, the previous owner of the pub, said in the planning document that the Stag’s Head in its current form as just a pub was ‘never a viable business proposition’.

“Trade on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday would regularly represent GROSS sales (including VAT) of £300, £450 and £700, respectively, during each and every week,” he said.

“Wage costs, rates, heat and light, represented costs well in excess of income for at least 40 per cent of every week, during the five years in which I owned the Stag.

“Try as I may, I failed to sell the business or the property, despite my concerted efforts to procure a buyer, it was a hopeless case and a financial disaster.”

A public consultation event has been held with villagers in support of the plans.

Cllr Chris Sweetman, chairman of Great Warford Parish Council, stated in the planning document: “The Great Warford Parish Council and a large number of residents are completely behind this proposal for the redevelopment of the Stag’s Head and recommend approval by the planning officer and committee.”

nWhat do you think about the plans for the Stag in Great Warford? Email yourviews@nqnw.co.uk or leave a comment on our Facebook page.