A SMALL village is fighting to save its historic pub after it was bought by a property developer and closed down.

The Mason Arms, in South Leigh, near Witney, has stood empty since it was sold in March 2014.

Village resident Dick Pears said he is worried property developers may try to get permission to convert the Grade II listed building into a house and build homes on the rest of the site.

Residents have managed to get the pub listed as an asset of community value, which they hoped would give them a chance to put in a bid to buy it.

Mr Pears said: “The Masons Arms is a pub with heart, soul and history. “But the property developer has refused to sell it to the village, despite the community- asset listing.

“We are determined to fight the property developer every inch of the way in order to return a beloved community asset to its place at the heart of village life.

“We are a resilient, tight-knit community where residents, many of whom have lived here for several decades and some for generations, support each other by holding regular community events.”

The property developer who owns the building was named as John Rodger, who has attended several public meetings in the past about the pub.

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact him for comment.

Vice-chairman of South Leigh Parish Council Mark Walker said it was a shame such a beautiful pub could be gone forever.

He said: “It’s the only asset in the village which is left.

“We have the church and the village hall but no pub. And I hear locals say all the time ‘oh that’s a shame, if it was open we would go for a pint’.

“The people of the village are really suffering. It’s a terrible shame.”

The Mason Arms was brought into the spotlight in 2009 after owner at the time Gerry Stonhill became the first pub landlord in Oxfordshire to be fined for flouting the smoking ban.

He finally caved in, after being fined £5,750, and provided an outdoor smoking area for customers.

The pub was put up for sale in 2013 when Mr Stonhill decided to retire.

A public meeting will be held at the village hall on October 23 at 7pm to discuss whether the pub can be saved.

All are welcome to attend and share their views.