The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, has pledged his support in the campaign to save the Guy Fawkes Arms, after attending a meeting with concerned residents on Friday (25 January).
The meeting at the pub in Scotton, named after the man charged with the Gun Powder Plot who lived in the village, was to discuss their stance on the application to change the site from public house to form a dwelling.
Residents in the village are putting together a petition, already signed by 130 people, to reject the application, submitted by Punch Taverns in November, and keep the Guy Fawkes Arms as a public house.
Andrew has vowed to support the campaign, including taking the petition to the Chief Executive of Punch Taverns.
Andrew said:
I can see from the reaction of the residents that this pub is dear to them and they are determined to keep it open.
For a village that has already lost a Post Office, a shop and two other pubs, losing this one would mean the opportunities for the community to come together would be fewer.
I am interested in seeing communities grow and thrive. Rural pubs like the Guy Fawkes Arms are a key ingredient in community cohesion and they should be protected.
Local Councillor Anthony Alton attended a previous meeting on Wednesday 23 January, along with over 30 residents.
Anthony said:
The parish council in Scotton do a lot to raise awareness of local issues and safeguard the village’s interests and this is no exception.
Too many village pubs are closing down at the moment and we do not want this to be one of them and that is why I am standing alongside my constituents who want to stop this planning application.
To comment on the application visit the Harrogate Borough Council’s planning page at www.harrogate.gov.uk
