FEARS Lydford could lose one of its pubs after planning permission was granted for a possible change of use of the Mucky Duck Inn to a single dwelling have been played down by the landlord.

Brian Payne says it is business as usual at the Mucky Duck, and the granting of the application last week does not spell the end for the pub but has increased the options for sale of all or part of the building.

Lydford Parish Council objected to the application on the grounds of loss of a valued village amenity. Letters of objection were also received from residents which reiterated that permission could mean the loss of a valued amenity in a poorly served area.

One letter described the pub as a 'focal point of the community' and a 'draw for valued tourist trade and for visitors to Lydford Gorge.'

The report to members of the borough council planning committee meeting last week stated that change of use of shops, post offices and public houses serving the local community would not be permitted where it would harm the level of service locally except where it could be demonstrated there is no reasonable prospect of the business being viable.

However, planning officers decided as the Mucky Duck Inn was located between two other pubs — the Brentor Inn and the Castle Inn, it was unlikely the loss of the pub would adversely affect community life.

Borough head of planning Stephen Gill said he was comfortable planning officers had interpreted this policy consistently.

Mr Payne said he had spent a lot of money upgrading the pub to provide facilities such as skittle alleys and further holiday accommodation.

He told the meeting he had

introduced a carvery and live music to boost business.

Mr Payne told the meeting that over the last ten years he had tried everything to make a go of the business, but he said the pub was not in a good location, with only a handful of houses within walking distance.

The report also noted the property had been on the market for more than a year, between July 1996-September 1997.

The property was put on the market again in October 2000, later withdrawn from sale, but was now back on the market again.

Councillors supported the report recommendation to grant permission for a possible change of the pub into a single dwelling, subject to standard time limit, details of floor plan to be approved by the local planning authority and the removal of permitted development rights.