Pub future to be decided

A long-running plan to demolish part of a village pub to make way for new homes will be discussed by councillors.

Part of the Wagon Wheel in Grimley near Worcester could be demolished to be converted into two homes under the plans.

Owners Giuseppe and Julie Giuliano, who have been trying to sell the Wagon Wheel for several years, will now have the plan discussed by the council’s planning committee with a recommendation from officers that it is approved.

Mr and Mrs Giuliano have since tried several times to have their plans approved – the latest of which proposes building two homes instead of three – but have so far been unsuccessful.

Grimley Parish Council has said it supports the latest plan with no concerns raised parking, design or flooding.

‘The Friends of the Wagon Wheel’ group have been attempting to get the building registered as an asset of community value in an attempt to save the pub and restaurant from turning into housing.

The council said the listing was appealed and the decision was overturned with the council’s solicitor concluding that “there was no doubt that the Wagon Wheel [had] historically been used by local residents and had some benefit to the local community however the council had not been presented with sufficient evidence to show regular and recent use.”

An application to build three homes was rejected by Malvern Hills District Council more than three years ago over fears it would result in the village losing a valuable facility.

The couple had looked to have the decision overturned by the government’s planning inspectorate but despite a hearing ruling that the restaurant was not a ‘community asset’ it still threw out the appeal.

Planners at Malvern Hills District Council rejected an application in July 2019 to convert the restaurant and pub into homes as it was a “valued community facility” which would not be replaced in Grimley if it closed.

Government planning inspector Gareth Thomas determined the Wagon Wheel was not a community asset but could not overturn the decision saying there was a risk of flooding and the homes would be out-of-character for the village.

The planning committee meets from 6pm on April 6.