A CONTROVERSIAL plan to reduce the size of a popular North Cornwall pub and build houses on part of the site is recommended for approval when it comes up for a decision on Monday.
Stephen Rudman, owner of the Bullers Arms Hotel at Marhamchurch, wants to demolish the main area of the function suite and convert it into a five-bedroomed home and also build seven cottages in the car park.
The pub, once the bustling heart of the village, has been closed since last October and has been on the market since earlier this year.
Mr Rudman told the Cornish Guardian two months ago that while the marketing continued, with no one willing to take on the premises, he was aware that a fall-back solution to saving the Bullers should be prepared.
"The solution that emerged was to reduce the size of the Bullers to the main areas in which the majority of use and trade occurred, which also married with those areas that were the original pub building, plus the later additional bar areas.
In his application Mr Rudman says: "I have supported the business over recent years for the good of the community.
"The proposal retains the pub and restaurant in a form that will not affect its day-to-day running and will preserve jobs."
The new application is due to be discussed by Cornwall Council's east area sub-planning committee meeting at Camelford on Monday. However, Marhamchurch Parish Council oppose the plans and want the Bullers Arms kept as it is.
Members feel the pub should be listed as a Community Asset under the Localism Act.
Local Cornwall councillor Nicky Chopak is concerned by the possible loss of a community asset and the impact of the loss of the parking facility on the long-term operation of the pub.
Cornwall Council has demanded that if the plan gets permission then two intermediate dwellings should be included and offered for sale.
The applicant has agreed to this request, and a section 106 legal agreement is being completed. The council's planning department has recommended approval subject to this undertaking.