Residents calls to save the Duchess of Cambridge's 'local' pub
“IT would cause irrevocable damage to the unique character of this beautiful village.”
That was the view of one of the 22 people who have objected to plans to turn the Duchess of Cambridge’s ‘local’ pub into a house.
As exclusively revealed in the Newbury Weekly News, John Haley, the landlord of The Old Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley, has applied for permission to turn the pub into residential accommodation for his own use.
The 300-year-old Grade II listed building has famously been frequented by the Middleton family over the years and the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband Prince William have also shared a meal together there.
In 2011, Mr Haley told a national paper: “We’re used to seeing Kate in the pub. The first time she and William came in it was nerve-racking, but you soon realise they’re just a normal couple.”
However last month Mr Haley said that the pub, which is still open, was no longer viable as a business.
That claim has been questioned by some local residents, while Stanford Dingley Parish Council has taken the unusual step of calling for an independent review to assess the pub’s viability.
A statement from the council read: “The closure of The Old Boot Inn would undoubtedly affect village life, and would prove a serious loss to many in the local community.
“The financial trading data on The Old Boot has been withheld from the Viability Report, and therefore it is impossible to conclude anything about the pub’s current viability, let alone its future prospects. “
The review should involve discussions with members of the local community, and consider what investment might be required to sustain the pub in the future.
“Pending that review, our default position will be to oppose the change of use. “
We are also aware of what can be a very large differential between the value of the pub as a trading asset and its value as a residential dwelling.”
In total, 22 of the 32 people who responded to the public consultation were against the plans. The parish council said the figure represents a “significant body of objectors” out of a parish roll of about 164.
One resident, Paul Lemm, said: “I object to this change of use application as I believe that the Boot is still viable as a pub. “The Boot has been an essential part of this community for 300 years and should not be closed.”
News of the plans was met with sadness from local resident Andy MacKenzie, who said: “The Old Boot Inn is a valuable village community asset and would be greatly missed.
“The pub is well used and famed for royal patronage. The pub is viable with all other pubs in the general area appearing to be thriving.”
Local resident Mr Cheshum said: “This long-term institution is an essential part of the fabric of the village community and currently enhances the area whilst preserving its unique local character.
“It will be a severe loss of a very important local amenity and cause irrevocable damage to the unique character of this beautiful village.”
Mr Haley hit the national headlines in 2011 when he was personally invited to the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey by the Middleton family.
The pub was the second stop on ‘The Kate Middleton Tour’ run by Hampshire-based coach travel firm Mortons to show people places where the Duchess has visited – and according to a celebrity news website, the Royal couple were spotted at the pub as recently as August.
