VILLAGERS fighting to get a new pub built to replace their 'local' destroyed by a fire in October last year, have won the first round.

About 20 villagers from Morgan's Vale and Redlynch left a meeting of Salisbury district council's southern area committee satisfied, after hearing councillors refuse permission for the site of the former Appletree Inn to be used for five new

houses.

The outline application for the new homes, a new access and parking arrangements was submitted by Martin Conlon, a retired soldier who was landlord of the 16th Century pub in Morgan's Vale when it was completely destroyed by fire.

The outline plans, drawn up by architect Tony Stocken, had been recommended for approval by the council's planning officers, but the committee rejected their advice and instead backed local residents and the parish council by turning down the scheme.

The committee had 63 letters objecting to the idea of using the site for houses.

Objections included the loss of a local facility and the impact of new houses on the locality.

In a report to the committee, officers said that, from the numerous responses received from the public, it was clear the Appletree Inn had been a popular public house.

However, said the report, the wider area contains a number of public houses and other local facilities.

Officers said the loss of the pub in this instance did not contravene council policies.

The report went on: "While the comments and objections of local people are noted and understood, in policy and planning terms, it is considered that the former public house use could not be construed as being central to the economic or social life of the settlement."

Officers pointed out that as little remained of the former pub, planning permission would be required to rebuild it and permission obtained to restart its use.

The council could not insist on the new building being used as a public house.

Councillors were told that Mr Conlon had sought professional advice and had been told that to reinstate the pub would cost about £400,000 and that, with a standard business loan, it would cost £41,000 a year in loan repayments.

Mr Conlon said that with this cost, together with other costs involved in running such a small establishment, it would not be a viable proposition to rebuild the pub.