PLANS lodged to convert a bed and breakfast in a disused pub into a single house were given the go-ahead despite opposition from local groups.

Pub bosses at the Dog and Partridge, situated near Gisburn Forest in Tosside, submitted plans to Ribble Valley Council to convert the existing two-storey rear extension from a bed and breakfast, with dining facilities, into a house.

Councillors at Ribble Valley Council’s recent planning meeting unanimously approved the plans to convert the pub after years of ‘stress’ for the pub owner.

The traditional country pub, which was first constructed in the late 18th century, occupies a central and prominent location in Tosside, directly adjacent to St Bartholomew with Saint James, Church and close to Tosside Community Link at the centre of the road junction.

The proposal sought to convert the bed and breakfast only, and retain the public house use within the original building at the front of the site. The proposed home, which will be separated from the pub, would contain three en-suite bedrooms at first floor level with kitchen, lounge, dining, study and utility rooms downstairs.

Externally the proposed house would be provided with two parking spaces, whilst a separate parking area would be retained for the public house providing 10 spaces.

Residents sent more than 10 letters of objections to the borough council on the grounds the business had been deliberately run down in order to demonstrate it was no longer commercially viable.

They also said it would the loss of the pub would have a negative impact on the visitor economy and on the character of the village. Grace Gridley, who has been the owner of the pub for 14 years, will move into the new house. She said: “I’m absolutely relieved.”

“The last five years have been very stressful, we have felt trapped in the property, unable to sell it or to change the use of the property to another use solely because the property is listed.

“We were very surprised that the objectors chose to object to our application, and can only assume that their motivation for objecting to the application was driven by other reasons.

“We have been unable to make any future plans for the D & P until we received the outcome of this application.

“We can now look forward and consider the various options available.

“We are so relieved. Words cannot really express.”