Planning permission for 2 houses to be built in place of The Plough Pub in Sutton Courtenay has been submitted: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P16%2FV1457%2FFUL

This pub is the only pub in the village where the community can get together on a weekly basis to enjoy participating in local leagues for darts, pool, aunt Sally etc.

No other pub in the village can provide for this or wants to.

Sutton Courtenay may have three other great pubs, but by their own admission, these pubs focus on the restaurant element of their business. The Plough is what the villagers describe as "a drinking pub" and is the only one left in the village. In addition, it is the only pub left in the south of the village.

There are several elderly villagers whose only trip out of their home is their weekly trip to The Plough. These villagers cannot be expected to and are not able to walk in excess of a mile to the next pub.

The Plough has an alliance with the local Damascus Project, meaning the youth of the village also benefit. Charity events are held throughout the year, helping to raise much needed funds. The Golf Society and Women's Institute also choose this as their place to meet regularly.

It also is used for wakes, birthday parties, christenings, race nights, quiz nights, disco nights, etc etc.

There are enough new houses being built in Sutton Courtenay. The three new developments currently being built have at least 28 (Beaumont Gardens), 64 (Asquith Park) and 26 (Sutton Fields) new houses. There is a plan to construct 500 additional houses, but this has not yet begun. However, no new amenities are being built.

With the new houses that have been built in the last couple of weeks the ladies darts team has grown from 9 players to 15. Next season 'The Plough' will have two ladies darts teams 'A' and 'B'.

If the Plough is shut then the ladies will have no where to meet every Thursday to continue to represent the village. This is the same for other winning teams representing The Plough.

The village currently thrives in the local Abingdon community because of these team links. If these teams no longer exist, there is fear of great isolation as the location of the village is not within walking distance of the local towns.

The new year is brought in every year with a disco at The Plough, which means families can afford to celebrate together, while being united with other villagers.

I also believe the planning application is under hand because I have been keeping an eye to see if the pub comes up for sale or if they advertised for new tenants. I have not seen anything for the past three years having searched on a weekly basis.

In addition, requests sent by e-mail to buy the pub or take over as landlord/lady were supposed to be followed up by the brewery at a later date. They simply forgot to do so - very convenient.

The Plough is part of Sutton Courtenay's community and in my opinion it should be renovated and continue as a pub.

The planning permission says the pub has made a loss, in my opinion this is due to the current Landlord who has lost interest in the pub.

Please help us stop more houses from taking away an asset from the villagers.

 

You can also support the campaign by donating on GoFundMe:
gofundme.com/SaveThePlough