Otley MP tells pub site developers to check their facts (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley MP tells pub site developers to check their facts

8:47pm Thursday 10th January 2008

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THE COMPANY hoping to build houses on the site of a closed Otley pub has been told to check its facts' by the town's MP.

The Summercross was unexpectedly shut last October despite having been successfully run for the previous 18 months by Barry and Pamela Mills, whose work won the pub two awards.

But they were told by owners Phase 7 Properties that their lease would not be renewed and given a month's notice.

Greg Mulholland MP, who is driving the Save Our Summercross (SOS) campaign, had written to Chartford Homes to express the community's opposition to its plans to redevelop the East Busk Lane plot.

But in his reply Chartford Homes managing director Chris Thompson claimed he had been told the pub's trade had been falling and that the landlord and landlady hadn't wanted to stay.

He wrote: "I note the concern of your constituents with regard to the closure of the Summercross inn and we appreciate their desire to retain this feature of their community. However, we understand that for quite some time the trade had been declining, such that the tenant had not looked to extend his lease, which was due to expire and indeed vacated the property before his existing lease expired."

Mr Mulholland said the reply was alarming as it suggested the developers had not been given accurate information about how the pub was faring.

He said: "I'm not sure where they got some of this misinformation from, but it appears they have been led up the garden path which must be a matter of great concern to them and possibly something they will want to look into.

"The reality is that the Summercross had been turned around by the former landlord and landlady who most certainly did want to renew their lease and carry on serving the community.

"Chartford Homes also need to be honest and admit that their plans for turning this community pub into housing are opposed by not only people in Otley, but also the Town Council, the city councillors, leading organisations in the town and me as the town's MP.

"So I hope they will realise that their plans for development are not wanted in Otley and have the good grace to sell the property to a company who wish to run the Summercross as a pub, the way it has been serving the community for 100 years."

In Mr Thompson's letter, he goes on to promise that the proposed housing would be appropriate for the area.

He said: "It is our intention, subject to local authority planning permission, to redevelop the site.

"Due to the sensitivity of the matter, which we fully appreciate, we have employed the services of a conservation architect to prepare a scheme which will mirror the row of Victorian terraced houses opposite to create a complete community around the memorial gardens as a central feature."

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