Foxhunters owner hounds council into planning action

After a decade of planning applications and appeals, the green light has been given for three homes on the former Foxhunters Inn site at West Down.

After many years of unsuccessful marketing for sale (including auction), the pub closed in 2012. The site was repossessed and sold to local man Philip Milton, who has been trying to secure agreement for the site to be given a refreshed purpose.

He purchased it under tender from the same Bank Administrators appointed 10 years before, from whom the last owners bought it.

But it has remained derelict and was hit by fire in July 2020, becoming something of an eyesore, much to the frustration of Mr Milton and local residents.

Previous plans for the whole Site for 10 and then four dwellings were refused by North Devon Council but permission has finally been granted to retain the historic pub building, creating two tasteful homes and to replace the 1970s owner’s bungalow at the rear with a new house.

Each earlier application was also refused at appeal but Mr Milton and James Sanders-Elliott of SWC Builders have worked hard with the Council to resolve the concerns, reducing the number of homes on the site further, enhancing soundproofing and providing on-site parking.

Mr Milton said he was ‘hugely delighted and relieved’ at the Council’s decision, and hoped the development would complete the area, bringing it back into effective use once again.

Across the road from the former Foxhunters is the Woodpecker Bar and Kitchen pub.

The busy pub is effectively a new and road-safe venue created by Mr Milton from the derelict fish and chip shop, first as a café and now with its renewed licence.

He said: “I have never closed a functioning and viable pub in my life and indeed, this now represents the second successful ‘new’ licensed business I have opened for people in North Devon and visitors to enjoy! Huge credit also goes to Jamie and Tina Pearce for making Woodpecker’s such a success.”

Mr Milton added: “This has been an awful struggle but at long last something is happening and this significant, historic and feature building will soon no longer be a derelict eyesore to all driving past on this important arterial route.

“We would have been happy to see this progressed 10 years ago but there was awful negativity and colossal barriers to pragmatic development, despite an early constructive discussion with planners. I am not blaming the Councillors, Council, or its officers as they have to work within the planning policy framework but the system is very frustrating and they could have all had constructive and realistic conversations and progress a long time ago – and much needed homes.

“We have always been willing to work with the local community and the Council to achieve practical and sensible outcomes. This shows what is possible when there is sensible engagement and co-operation.

“However, practical solutions were possible years ago and more pragmatism and engagement are necessary, especially with sites like this which offer little or no development profit (despite the heavy risks) as the costs of alteration are so high, as well as the planning process and colossal holding costs of a redundant property.

“This outcome proves we are always more than willing to listen to realistic concerns and we modified our plans greatly to accommodate those.

“From the outset (and despite the significant extra conversion costs), we have always wanted to retain, restore and secure the future for this historic profile and all the attractions of the old building at the heart of the original coaching inn.

“We look forward at last to being able to breathe life into that side of the road and having something in which every time we drive past we can have great pride at what we have achieved there!”