The current situation regarding planning activities within the Hinckley and Bosworth branch were presented by Chris Merriman, Pubs Protection Officer, to the August Branch Meeting:-

• Oddfellows Arms, Higham on the Hill Update from Kate Phillips, Secretary to “Save the Oddies” confirmed that they have not yet acquired the Pub. The £156,000 from the Government Community Ownership Fund needs to be matched with local funding. A Public Works Loan application has been pursued with the Parish Council. Shares in the pub will be offered to the local community to match the funding by the end of the summer. Negotiations are ongoing for the sale of the pub by Cartwright’s. The final planning permission for housing on the site still has to be determined.
  
  
• The Cock Inn, Sibson Listed building consent was given in December 2022. In July 2023 Heineken submitted some plan details to comply with the consent to the Local Council. Negotiations are ongoing for the work to start.
  
  
• Royal Arms, Sutton Cheyney In July planning permission was given to convert the premises into 9 residences, retaining a very small area at the front for a pub. Representations made by Chris to the Planning Authority were not included in the assessment report. Chris has raised concerns that the area allocated to the pub will later be declared by the developer as “non-viable” and seek to remove the planned pub, as was the case with the Dog & Gun in Hinckley.
  
  
• The Wharf, Hinckley There was a failure to secure a listing as a pub with historic interior, due to insufficient resources being available at English Heritage.
  
  
• White Swan, Stoke Golding The Parish Council has declined to apply for an Asset of Community Value, citing two other pubs and the club in the village. Individuals may apply for an AVC providing more than 20 residents submit the application.
  
  
• The Clarence, Hinckley Submitted an application for conversion of the roof area into a bar and five units of accommodation; some to be used as “entertainment pods”
  

• Barwell Constitutional Club Submitted an application to build four bungalows on the existing beer garden site. The Branch advises raising an objection for loss of amenity.