Village pub near Craven Arms closed for more than a decade could become three new homes

Since the Engine & Tender in Broome, near Aston-on-Clun, closed in January 2012, several attempts have been made to convert the derelict pub and its outbuildings into homes. 

Plans first submitted in 2012 were withdrawn, while other applications in 2018, 2021 and 2022 were all withdrawn. 

More recently, an outline application made by Llandrindod Wells-based Delfin Investments Limited in 2023 for three houses on the site was refused after Shropshire Council planning officers said the "principle" of three open market dwellings on the site was "unacceptable".

But the company clearly hasn't given up on the concept and has now submitted another application asking for permission to convert the pub.

The planning statement reads: "The public house has been closed for some years, despite once being well known locally and having a good reputation. Whilst new landlords have been sought, this has not been successful.

"The site is formed of an existing public house, adjacent to is a former caravan site, which was operated by the pub’s former owners.

 "Converting disused buildings into dwellings both meets housing needs as well as improves unsightly buildings which in turn, improves the visual amenity of the village."

Despite the council previously stating three new homes would result in a "significant" exceedance of housing guidlines, the applicants argued that the proposals are "in accordance with the aspirations of the national planning policy framework".

The planning statement concluded: "The emerging Shropshire Local Plan 2016-2038 identifies Broome as part of a Community Cluster and, as such, the principle of residential development in this location has been established. 

"The site occupies a sustainable location within the village and would not adversely affect the amenities of any neighbouring land users. In addition it involves the re-use of redundant buildings, allowing the visual amenity of the village to be improved."

The full application is available to view online on Shropshire Council's planning portal using reference number: 24/04541/FUL