PLANS to turn a disused village pub into a house have been rejected by Calderdale Council.
The Druids Arms on Spring Lane, Greetland, closed last October and owners Keith and Germaine Mallinson applied for permission to turn it into a house.
They said they had been reluctant to shut the pub, but had no choice, because of poor trade.
Angry local residents objected. They said the couple had deliberately failed to put in the effort needed to keep the pub going as a focal point for the community.
Sixty-three people filed objections against the Mallinsons' plans.
Members of the Halifax and Calderdale branch of the Campaign for Real Ale said they wanted to see the pub sold and re-opened.
Calderdale planning committee members sided with the objectors at a meeting and refused permission for the pub to be turned into a house.
Council policy means that community facilities such as pubs should be safeguarded - and officers said the pub's owners had not justified for getting rid of it.
Officers had recommended refusal of the plans, saying the owners had not provided enough evidence to show they tried to rescue the business.
The planners also said the strong public support for the pub indicated it could be a viable business.
