Homes plan for Otley pub has campaigners feeling bitter

12:15pm Thursday 29th November 2007

By Jim Jack

CAMPAIGNERS are vowing to fight on after it was confirmed that Otley's Summercross pub has been bought by a housing developer.

Horsforth-based Chartford Homes says it is aiming to submit plans within the next few weeks to build traditional style mews houses on the inn's East Busk Lane site.

The news has angered those who have been trying to get the pub - the only one serving the east side of Otley - reopened since its unexpected closure in October.

And the Save Our Summercross (SOS) campaign is vowing to fight the redevelopment plans at every step. Member Shirley Lewis said: "How dare these people close down a thriving local', we are losing a meeting place for socialising, a source of entertainment and a gig venue for local musicians.

"They are seeking to impose their greed on a community and change its social and physical environment. For no other reason than the great god profit."

Otley's MP Greg Mulholland said: "It is extremely disappointing that developers from Horsforth have done a deal behind the back of the people of Otley to turn the Summercross pub into housing.

"I would have hoped that a local firm would have cared about the wishes of the community here but they bought the pub knowing there has been a vigorous campaign to keep it open.

"Chris Thompson, the managing director, says in Chartford Homes literature that the company have pride in our reputation for professionalism'.

"Buying a popular pub behind the backs of a community and against its wishes is not professional and will do nothing for their reputation.

"If they care about local communities, they will re-open the pub or sell it to someone who will. If not, if they think the community in Otley is prepared to allow them to line their pockets by redeveloping our pub without a fight, they should think again."

Chartford Homes MD Mr Thompson, however, rejected any suggestion that the deal had been done in secrecy'. He said: "We bid for it like anyone else, it was just done on the normal tender basis.

"I know there's a lot of opposition to the pub being closed and redeveloped but we're not looking at building lots of flats, but at recreating what's already there on the other side of that site, by building some mews houses that will be in keeping with the area."

The pub was unexpectedly closed in October - for the second time in two years - despite the fact it had been run successfully for the previous 18 months by Barry and Pamela Mills.

The couple had been told by London-based owners Phase 7 Properties that their lease would not be renewed and given a month's notice to leave without any explanation.

The pub was boarded up on November 17, fuelling fears it had been sold for redevelopment, and had actually been sold to Chartford Homes on November 12. Chartford says it first made an approach to Phase 7 about buying the pub back in the summer.