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News
13-07-10
Another victory!
At last night’s planning committee meeting, despite the efforts of the planning officers, the application for change of use was unanimously rejected.
Not only was it rejected, the views of the committee members who spoke could not have been more supportive of both our arguments and our long-term vision for the Bells.
Well done to everyone for all your efforts, but especially to Iain, Chris, Ian and the Riseley Parish Council and to all those who wrote letters and ensured our objection remained focused.
But a huge thank you to everyone who made the extra effort to attend the meeting last night. If anyone in Beds Planning was unsure of the level of feeling and commitment to the cause in the village before the meeting, they will be in no doubt now. I really believe that the support last night further confirmed to those committee members who were against the application that they were right to oppose it and gave them the impetus and motivation to speak so strongly in our favour.
This is not, however, the final victory. That is still a long way off. It is likely the developer will appeal and so we need to have a concrete proposal in place for when he does to prove that we are serious, so be prepared for a lot more hard work.
In the meantime though, enjoy the moment.
20-06-2010
A piece from today's Bedfordshire on Sunday highlighting the incompetence of Bedford Borough Council:
(Click on the image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
20-06-2010
A letter from Iain Harding on behalf of Riseley Parish council outlining objections to the change of use:
Click here. (.doc format)
20-06-2010
Martyn's letter to the Planning Office informing them that passing the change of use for the pub was in fact contrary to their own guidelines: See here. (.pdf format)
18-06-2010
A letter from Alistair Burt, Member of Parliament for North-East Bedfordshire to Peter Bull, senior planner at Bedford Borough council: Click here. (.pdf format)
17-06-2010
Another piece from the Times and Citizen:
(Click on the image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
07-06-2010
Meeting at Riseley Village Hall
A meeting of key campaigners was held at The Village Hall to make sure everyone was up to speed and ready regarding the Planning Office site visit. Iain Harding informed the meeting that the site visit would take place on Monday 14-06-2010 and of the strict rules about who can represent the village and how the visit will be conducted.
It was great to see publican John O’Grady at the meeting with his family. John, whose offer to by the pub was rejected by the developer, is still really keen to invest in and manage the pub. After seeing and hearing the passion and commitment from the village, he again pledged to work with us to see The Five Bells back as the centre of the community.
Iain Harding and Councillor Ian Clifton will meet the Committee and put our case forward. We believe that we have a very strong case to put to the Committee and we trust that they will make the right decision and turn down the application for change of use for The Five Bells public house for a second time and also make it clear that speculative developers should not be allowed to take away valuable village resources for financial gain!!
30-05-2010
Informal Meeting
Loads of great ideas and a real positive vibe to the meeting after our success, this was an informal meeting held at The Village Hall to discuss how to plan ahead for the upcoming site visit by Bedford Planning Committee and to make sure whoever meets the planners are fully prepped with all the up to date information.
27-05-2010
Planning Application - Deferred
Bedford Planning Committee decided to defer a decision for the change of use of The Five Bells until a site visit of the pub and the village has been carried out. Thanks to Iain Harding and councillor Ian Clifton for speaking so well on behalf of the village and campaign and also thanks to the 20 or so supporters who turned up to support the speakers. We have made our point to the Committee that The Five Bells is a very important amenity in the village and that it is a viable business. And, equally important, the loss of the Bells would mean yet another building with commercial/communal usage (A4) will be lost. So while the village grows, the the number of buildings that can be used to serve the community will be reduced to the Shop, The Fox and Hounds(restaurant) and the full to capacity Village Hall.
08-04-2010
Another piece in the Times and Citizen:
(Click on the image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
31-03-2010
DOWNLOADABLE OBJECTION LETTERS
For those who wish to write an objection, but are not natural letter writers, here's a ready-made exampleyou can edit and print:
22-03-2010
ANOTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE- YOUR PUB NEEDS YOU!
Save The Five Bells – Update March 2010
Re-application for change of use
Despite receiving a number of offers to buy and re-open the pub, the developer has again applied to turn the pub into a private dwelling. A complete U-turn on the stance taken after the original application was turned down; when he stated that it could only be sold and used as a public house. This raises questions about whether or not there was any real intention to sell the premises as a pub. Or, as some believe, it is the developer’s intention to sit on the property until the opposition subsides or the planning office changes their views.
Nothing’s changed
The reasons for the campaign to save the Five Bells are unchanged. As a growing community there is a need for a local village pub that provides the broad range of social activities such as skittles, darts, pool and other provisions the village currently lacks. The view of the campaigners is that the village does not cater for the needs of the entire community and while we are building new housing, we are not providing the social and communal amenities that are needed. A prime example is the Riseley football club. As the home of the two Riseley football teams, players would enjoy a post-match drink in the Bells while watching the football results – a key part of the social side of local football. Since closure, many players have left to join teams that offer these facilities and as a result, one of the teams has folded completely and the other is struggling. This is just one example of the negative impact the pub closure has had on the village.
Why the developer thinks Change of use should be granted…
The developer (a non-resident) has again stated that there are adequate amenities in the village, something most residents disagree with. He also noted that 52 pubs close a week in the UK because they are no longer viable businesses. While this may be true in the present economic climate, even the government realises we are losing an important aspect of our social network and has recently launched a scheme to help save, re-invest and re-open pubs. The most disturbing reason he has given is that there are other pubs within a five-mile radius that offer the required amenities and facilities. The campaign thinks this is totally the wrong message. Residents, especially young people, should be encouraged to socialise locally as it will help reduce Drink Driving and improve our economy.
Why we will fight on
With the economy beginning to improve and the government’s final realisation that community pubs should be saved, now is not the time to give up. Long-term The Five Bells is a viable business and can once more be an important part of the village. Remember - once it’s gone, it’s gone for good! We are currently looking into a community scheme with government funding. Plus we have also received a ‘real’ offer of substantial investment. There is still a very strong local desire to see the pub re-opened and the campaign intends to show the developer that the villagers will not give up.
If you would like to, please email your objections to: planning@bedford.gov.uk or in writing to Peter Bull, Planning Dept, Room A121, Town Hall, Bedford MK40 1SJ.
Please note application no: 1-/00541/FUL Five Bells, Riseley
If you want to support the campaign please visit our website www.savethefivebells.org.uk or contact Lynne Clayton 07903 886512 or Martyn Wady on 709 333
(You can also join our Facebook group Save the Five Bells)
19-03-2010
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Hi Everyone,
You may or may not know but the developer who owns the Five Bells has again applied for 'Change of Use'. Since the previous application was rejected, there were offers made to buy the Bells as a pub, but all were turned down by the developer. It has concerned many people all along that this would be his tactic.
With the green shoots of economic recovery beginning to be seen, plus the government's new scheme to help save local pubs, this is not a time to give up the fight.
We have already lost one of our football teams since the Bells closed, plus we are facing a World Cup summer without the prospect of a communal place to watch it! These are just a few of the impacts the pub closure has had.
Our position remains unchanged:
Riseley is a growing community that needs a local pub that offers the social and sporting amenities the Five Bells provided.
The businesses and amenities in situ are not meeting the needs of the village.
The Five Bells closed due to lack of investment and poor management and not because of a lack of need
There is overwhelming support to keep the Five Bells a pub from the village community
The Five Bells is a viable long-term business and can offer new amenities and services
The Five Bells has a historic position in the community and needs to be protected
Also the following news story was on the BBC today; could be a good omen http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8576198.stm
We are looking to hold a village meeting to discuss countering this latest application and to discuss the viability of a government supported community scheme we have been looking in to.
We'll keep you posted
14-01-2010
Another piece in the Times and Citizen highlighting the campaign's progress:
(Click on the image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
29-09-2009
Planning application - REJECTED!
Good News– The application for change of use of the Five Bells has been rejected. Being turned down before even going to committee is very good indeed and testament to the huge level of support to save the pub.
It is likely that that there will be an appeal from the developer, so it’s not over yet, and we’ve got a long way to go before the first pint is pulled. But as a great leader once said, “This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but maybe it’s the end of the beginning.”
We’ll keep you posted on how the developer reacts, but in the mean time – Well Done to everyone!
14-08-2009
Hopefully many of you will have already written your letters of objection and sent them off to the planning department (see news for 09-08-2009 for full details of what's happening). For those of you who are not natural letter writers, we have drafted a few sample letters for you, which you can download, edit, add your own details and send off. Don't let apathy win - you may well be thinking 'everyone else will do it', but if everyone thinks that, then nothing gets done. If this change of use is allowed to go through, then that's it. There will be no second chances. Every objection counts, so get them in.
Here are the sample letters:
Letter 1 Letter 2 Letter 3
(.doc format - click to download)
Please, spend a few minutes and register your objection.
Additional
Please also sign the online petition here. (Click on link, site will open in new tab)
Also, for the Facebookers out there, we've set up a Save the Five Bells group. Please join, and send invites to everyone who might be interested!
09-08-2009
PLANNING APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILED
The situation is this: The Five Bells has been sold and a planning application has been submitted to ‘change the use’ of the pub to a private residence.
The purchaser is seeking change of use on the following grounds:
- The Five Bells is NOT a viable pub business
- Riseley has an EXISTING PUB, The Fox & Hounds, that meets the needs of the community
- Noise impact on neighbouring houses that COULD lead to future complaints
We have until the 26th August to submit our objections – 17 days from tomorrow.
With all of the work we have carried out up to this point, we are confident that with enough support from the village, we can stop permission being granted.
We will hold a meeting in the lounge of the village hall at 8pm on Thursday 13th to discuss our strategy and to organise actions.
You need to be there and be prepared to help – If YOU don’t act, YOU will lose YOUR last village pub forever!
If you are unable to attend the meeting or are going away in the next two weeks then please make sure you lodge your objection before you go away.
By Post: Bedford Borough Council, Planning Department Room A121, Town Hall, Bedford MK40 1SJ
By Email: planning@bedford.gov.uk
Planning reference: 09/01516/FUL. Five Bells Public House, Riseley
You must include your name and address. And remember, it’s not one per household, ANY RESIDENT CAN OBJECT so if there are two or more of you, EACH SHOULD SUBMIT YOUR OWN OBJECTION.
Important: any letter you submitted previously to the planning department DOES NOT COUNT, you need to re-send it with the above planning reference.
Any questions, you know where I am.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION.
Martyn
Useful contact details:
Planning website: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/planning_town_and_country/weekly_list.aspx
Bedford Borough Council: 01234 267422 (general enquiries)
01234 221798 (Planning Office am)01234 221798 (Planning Office pm)
24-04-09
It was with great sadness that we heard Cllr. Dave Lewis, who has backed our campaign from its inception, even taking the time to attend at our first 'official' meeting, died on Monday this week. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.
For more on this, please see here . (Page will open in new window)
17-04-09
For anyone interested taking the on the pub, we recently received this email from Fleurets, the agent in charge of selling the pub:
'I thought you might like to be aware that we have scheduled an open house viewing for between 10am and 11am on Friday 24th April. The full address of the property is:- Five Bells, High Street, Riseley. Bedford. Bedfordshire, MK44 1DX.
No appointment is necessary, just turn up and I will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and show you over the property.'
So if want a look, here's your chance!
14-04-09
A piece about the pub and our campaign was featured in the Spring 2009 edition of 'The Firkin', a free magazine produced by our friends at North Beds CAMRA and distributed to pubs across North Bedfordshire. In case you haven't seen a copy, here it is:
(Click on image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
04-04-09
The pub went up for sale late last week - and cheaper than many were expecting at £300,000! Below is the link to the Fleurets website, where it can be found with a fairly simple search:
(Search in the 'London' region, then refine your search with the 'Bedfordshire' option)
Let's hope someone sees it who shares the same vision we do!
30-03-09
As promised in an earlier post, here's the summary of the survey results:
(PDF format - click to download)
28-03-09
For those who live outside the village, here's the latest update from the village newsletter:
(Microsoft Word format- click to download)
27-03-09
A small, informal 'focus group' was held by some of the organisers (over tea and biscuits, naturally) to try and chase up some of the ideas that were brought up during the large meeting on 28th February. Items discussed included trying to build up a larger email contact list, and to try and chase up the 'costing out' of all the different groups who may use the pub - such as skittles and darts teams etc. Much like a duck, though sometimes we may seem calm or there is little happening, please believe that beneath the surface, our little legs are paddling like mad trying to keep things moving!
16-03-09
A piece on the plight of the Five Bells and the village's campaign to save it was screened on Look East this evening on BBC1 as part of another feature. We would have liked to have made it available to view on this site, but weren't able to obtain the necessary permission to do so. However, the BBC kindly agreed to let us publish a few stills from the short film:
(Click on images for a larger version - they will open in a new window)
15-03-09
Whilst not directly mentioning the Five Bells, this piece from the Bedfordshire on Sunday is nonetheless very relevant and is reproduced here for anyone who didn't see it:
(Click on image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
12-03-09
The Times and Citizen newspaper included a nice piece on our campaign. For those who missed it, here it is:
(Click on the image for a larger version - it will open in a new window)
28-02-09
The meeting held last night was an overwhelming success, with well in excess of a hundred people in attendance. Also in attendance was Cllr. Dave Lewis and representatives from CAMRA (see the useful information page for more about CAMRA) .Hopefully people are now much more aware of just what the campaign is all about, and the question and answer session hopefully provided those in attendance with the information they needed, as well as providing us with some useful suggestions of their own about just what they want from a re-opened Five Bells! A lot of offers of labour were made - just what we we hoping for, as well as good old moral support.
The meeting, coupled with the results of the survey (more on that in a future post) seems to show very overwhelming support in favour of the Five Bells being opened as a family-friendly vilage pub. We strongly believe that the village needs the Five Bells, and it is gratifying that so many others do too. Thank you everybody!
22-02-09
A meeting will be held at the village hall on Friday 27th February at 8pm. Please do come along, whether it is to air suggestions, ask any questions you may have, or simply to show support. Your pub needs you!
22-02-09
Gallery page added
31-01-09
With the village newsletter going out over this weekend and people being made aware of the campaign, the doorstep surveys will be taking place in the next week or so.
15-01-09
A meeting will be held on Thursday 21 st January at the village hall to discuss the details of the village survey. If you volunteered to take part in this meeting or if you think you can help, please come to the village hall lounge at 8pm.
15-01-09
The first meeting held to discuss the saving of the Five Bells was a great success with over 40 villagers attending and pledging their support.