Owners of pub submit plans to convert Keepers Cottage to boutique hotel

Rebecca and Jamie Govier, who own the Black Bull in Old Langho, have submitted a planning application for Keepers Cottage, which is over the road from the pub.

The property, which dates back to the early 1700s, is located at the junction of Northcote Road and Old Langho Road, close to Brockhall Village in the Ribble Valley.

Earlier this year, the owners of the pub announced their plans to convert the run-down building, which has sat dormant for many years, into a boutique hotel.The current state of Keepers Cottage. Credit: Ribble Valley Council planning application (Image: Ribble Valley Council planning application)

Now, an application has been submitted to Ribble Valley Council to demolish some parts of the building and create the eight-bedroomed hotel featuring a guest lounge with bar, terrace, kitchen and breakfast room.

In a statement submitted to the planning committee, owner Rebecca Glover said: “Myself and my husband took over the Black Bull Inn Old Langho four years ago.

"When we took over the pub it was extremely dilapidated, and we have spent our own personal money transforming the pub into a well-established business that is once again the hub of the community.

“In order to progress our current business, we need to be able to offer rooms for our guests. Keepers Cottage was put on the market and was in a state of disrepair.

“Myself and my husband bought Keepers Cottage and its extensive curtilage which includes the three-holiday lets previously approved, with the vision to restore it and turn it into a luxury boutique hotel.”

READ MORE: Owners of award-winning pub to transform derelict B&B into luxury boutique hotel

The planning application says the building is in ‘poor condition’, and the roof structure will need to be removed to allow the first floor to be increased in height.

Much of the interior has been ripped out ready for renovation, with plans to extend the rear of the property to accommodate the bedrooms.

Most external walls will remain, however, internal walls including steel beams will have to be removed in order to accommodate the new layout including the existing staircase.

The Black Bull, which is run by Rebecca and Jamie Govier. Credit: Fortis (Image: Submitted)

The application says: “Essentially, the building will be stripped back to a shell structure in order to allow the construction work to extend the property to be carried out.”

The construction will use original materials, with plans to expose the original stonework will be by removing the render, which will “significantly improve” the visual appearance of the building, the plans claim.

Local residents have until September 23 to have their say on the plans.