THE battle is set to be resumed today over the future of a shuttered pub near Bishop’s Waltham.

The Woodman Inn on Winchester Road, Upham, has been closed for two years and developer Richard Aston wants to demolish it and build four houses on the plot.

But planning officers at the city council are recommending the application be refused.

Villagers are trying to save their pub, one of only two in the village.

Among the objectors are the parish council as they would like to retain the building as a community asset, such as a shop. The village’s last shop closed around two years ago a few yards up the road.

The Upham Shop Action Group says the site is ideal. A USAG member has proposed a shop/cafe with four smaller three-bedroom houses, two one-bed flats and 15 parking spaces.

The urban design section and historic environment teams at the city council objects because the early 19th century has “intrinsic qualities as a product of its orientation, scale and features.”

Some 11 representations have been sent to the council supporting the application saying the site has become an eyesore and redevelopment is needed “to quote the council report, “improve the image of the village.”

USAG says the site has only become dilapidated over the last 18 months because no effort has been made by the present owner to maintain the building.

It argues that the guide rent of £37,500 is excessive meaning that the pub was not being marketed at a reasonable rent.

A report to the planning committee included advice from the external valuer, Fleurets, which has examined the marketing of the pub. Fleurets said: “I am content that the property has been fully exposed to the market, covering a broad range of sectors - public house and alternative community uses. The lack of purchaser or tenant being secured is a strong indicator of lack of demand and the reasons set out as to why this has been unsuccessful are clear indicators of the struggles that this property faces and will continue to do so going forward.”