Save The Plough Update

Here is the latest update from Joe Roberts of the The Plough Pub Potten End Community Interest Company.

Please be assured that we are continuing to work on making The Plough pub in Potten End an asset for the community and owned by the community.

As you may be aware from our communication in March, Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) planning department has delayed its decision on the second change of use planning application by nearly six months now.

We continue to make enquiries about the delay, and up until now no intelligence has been forthcoming. We have even made Sir Mike Penning MP aware of this and have requested his help in this matter.

As potential investors ourselves we do not want to waste the opportunity, or the thirteen-month campaign that brought this to your attention and secured your interest. We are totally, utterly frustrated and understand if you feel the same way.

We have been hesitant in sending out communication mainly because there has been nothing new to report. We were excited earlier this month when the status on the application changed from ‘with case officer’ to ‘awaiting final decision’ but then still no decision date was given and we are clearly still waiting.

However, we have recently been made aware that the delay in the decision has been caused by DBC engaging with an independent viability consultant and that the result of this is due in the next three weeks.

The next steps regarding applying for government grants of up to £250,000 are in place and we are waiting for exact information on this matched funding when is opens on 1 June. Although we cannot activate this until DBC have made a decision on the second residential planning application made by The Plough’s current owner.

Please do stay with us – the next few weeks will be very exciting for the project!

Watch this space and many thanks for your continued support.

Joe Roberts