Demolition plans for a derelict village pub have been turned down after residents fought to save it – but its future remains uncertain.

The Bridge Inn on Gainsborough Road in Saxilby closed in 2014 after nearly 80 years of serving the village.

Rabeto Homes Ltd, which has proposed demolishing it and constructing nine homes on the site, says it would be too costly to repair the building.

West Lindsey District Council has issued a notice refusing the application, saying it would harm the area’s character and ecology, as well as overlooking existing properties.

Several people living around the site had objected to the application, asking whether the original building could be retained.

Kevin Tate wrote: “It is a shame that the original building has to be torn down rather than incorporated into the development.

“The interior may well be dilapidated, but the exterior structure and roof appear to be holding up well.

“The Bridge Inn was also a part of Saxilby history and fondly remembered by many.”

Theresa Lawson said there had been hopes to renovate and convert it into a wellness café, although the party was unsuccessful in buying it at auction.

“They did not believe that the building was beyond economic repair, and I find it difficult to believe that it would have deteriorated so significantly in the last 12 months or so since the auction,” she said.

“Would it therefore not be better to consider utilising the existing building and infrastructure as part of the new development, meaning another historic building isn’t lost to the village?”

Susan Day said: “Although the site, as it is currently, is a concern and could be put to better use, is there really a need for more homes to be built in the village?”

The planning documents say that renovating the former pub would be too costly.

“The existing building is derelict and beyond economic repair, with significant structural degradation caused by prolonged water ingress and long-term unoccupancy,” plans say.

It was previously reported that around 15 people were squatting in the building at one point during the pandemic.

Written by: Jamie Waller – Local Democracy Service