Briefing on Save the Oddies Campaign

Kate Phillips – Secretary to STOP & Higham Community Benefit Society
Martin Phillips – Chair of Higham Community Benefit Society

‘Save the Oddies Pub’ (STOP) community group are campaigning to save the last remaining pub in Higham on the Hill from being redeveloped into housing. The previous owner closed the pub in August 2018.

The Parish Council obtained an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV) on the pub. Cartwright Homes of Nuneaton bought the pub and land in 2019 and sought planning permission from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council: 1st application – Demolish the pub and 20 to 25 houses on the whole site. 2nd application – Convert the pub into flats while retaining the façade. And build 20-25 houses behind 3rd application – most recent version was amended to build 9 houses and separate the pub and most of the car park from the area of the application. 1st and 2nd applications were rejected by the Planning Officers / Council 3rd application is still in progress and being considered by the Planning Officers / Council it’s a delegated determination so done by Planning Officer.

STOP has made several offers to buy the pub and car park – but has not received any reasonable response from Cartwrights, who refuse to set a sales price. We’ve had responses but nothing that we can negotiate further on. Since 2018 the Oddfellows Arms has been vacant / vandalised / flooded – leaving the building in a state requiring urgent repair.

‘Save the Oddies Pub’ (STOP) have worked with the Plunkett Foundation who provide practical advice, business support and training to help communities establish and run innovative and inclusive community businesses that make a positive impact for local people.

On advice STOP has now set up a Community Benefit Society known as Higham Community Benefit Society Limited. Higham Community Benefit Society Limited will be able to raise finance though public sale of shares to fund refurbishment of the pub buildings and establishment of a community hub. They are also able to apply for grants. The current business plan is:

• Higham Parish Council plan to obtain a loan from Public Works Loan Board (a statutory body of the UK Government that provided loans to public bodies) to buy the pub / carpark and lease back to Higham Community Benefit Society Limited.
  
• Higham Community Benefit Society Limited will manage and run the pub with a blend of paid staff and volunteers.
  
• Revenues raised will fund operating costs and repayment of the loan. The community have agreed that the Parish Council can raise the Parish Precept to cover the repayment of the loan, which means that Higham CBS will pay a peppercorn rent so that we can plough profits back into the community hub and business
  
• Government Community Ownership Fund and have been awarded a grant of £156,000 matched funding to put towards our refurbishment of the site.
  
• Public share sales will raise £250,000 at £50 each to match the refurbishment grant and provide working capital.
  Note: The business plan cannot be enacted, or the sale of shares begin until Cartwrights offer a sales price / agree to sell.

  HCBS will be doing the share offer soon - to ensure they can get going asap once the sale is agreed. The HBBC are reticent to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order. The frustrated dialogue between Higham Community Benefit Society Limited, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council / Planning Officers and Cartwrights is ongoing. HBBC have facilitated meetings between all parties to try to move dialogue on. HVBS are frustrated by lack of movement by Cartwrights! The Planning Report (available on the HBBC portal) recommends refusal. If this is the decision made by the H&B Council, it is likely to appealed by Cartwrights. It will be weeks or months before any clear resolution and the business plan put into action. More information can be found on the Save the Oddies Pub website:
  
  https://savetheoddiespub.wixsite.com/stop/about You may contact Kate Phillips on email at moc.liamg@seiddoeht.yraterces