ATTEMPTS to revive the last surviving pub in a Ribble Valley village have failed after a second refurbishment plan was rejected.

The White Bull Hotel in Gisburn will remain closed for at least a further four months after proposals for an interior revamp were thrown out by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

The Grade II listed pub closed last November ahead of the proposed facelift, with owners Star Pubs and Bars also searching for a new tenant.

A previous refurbishment plan was rejected in February this year.

The pub was established in 1865 and was became the sole pub in the village after the closure of The New Inn, Ribblesdale Arms and The Commercial.

The owners said they intended to appeal the decision.

Gisburn resident David Waters said: “The plans to refurbish The White Bull have once again been rejected on the grounds that they are harmful to the character and significance of the listed building.

“They are supposed to take a balanced approach to planning decisions.

“What about the social harm being caused to the local community, the loss to the local economy and the loss of local employment opportunities by it being closed?

“I've written to Nigel Evans MP to update him on the situation and asked him if he can intervene so we can get our pub open again.”

In a statement regarding the council’s decision, John Heap, the council’s director of community services said: “The proposals have an unduly harmful impact upon the character and significance of the listed building.”

A spokeswoman from Star Pubs and Bars said: “We were very disappointed to have our second planning application turned down, especially when we had endeavoured to address the concerns of the planning department and have justified the works in line with government guidance.

“We do not intend to radically change the look of the pub and so were surprised when further objections were given as the reason for refusing planning permission.

“We are acutely aware of the special status of this Grade II listed building and have proposed a respectful and sensitive scheme of minor works.

“This latest decision will once again delay the re-opening of the pub.”