Contentious plans to turn a beloved village pub into a private house have been thwarted.
The landlord of the Blowing Stone Inn in Kingston Lisle has withdrawn his planning application after strong objections from villagers and councillors.
The nearly 100-year-old pub near Wantage would have faced closure if Paul Baumgartner’s home-conversion plans had been approved.
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But the landlord pulled his plans before Vale of White Horse District Council, the planning authority, could decide the pub’s fate.
It comes after more than 100 villagers objected in a public consultation.
The pub was described as “the thriving heart of our village” in one of the comments submitted to the council’s online planning website.
One comment submitted by a householder Vanessa Marment said: “In the 20 years we have lived in Kingston Lisle, the Blowing Stone has been a vital amenity at the heart of the village and community.
“The Blowing Stone is the only pub in Kingston Lisle, and it is essential for our community. There isn’t an alternative comparable venue.
“Yes, we have a village hall, but that cannot be compared with a warm, welcoming and well run pub.”
In a viability report submitted by Mr Baumgartner, who has run the pub since September 2020, the business was described as unviable due to poor economic conditions.
His application proposed making minimal alterations to the building’s exterior but he planned to knock down some outbuildings and build a garage.
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