Long Sutton area villagers fight to retain Gedney Dyke pub

The fight continues for villagers desperate to retain their only remaining pub.

During a virtual extraordinary parish council meeting called by Gedney Parish Council on Wednesday, July 8, councillors and members of the action group hoping to save the pub gathered to discuss their next move.

The meeting was called as Gareth Franklin, owner of The Chequers in Gedney Dyke, has asked that South Holland District Council (SHDC) review the Asset of Community Value (ACV) listing placed on the pub in 2019, which means that the action group has to be told if the building is put up for sale within a five-year listing period.

Opening the meeting, chairman Rosemary Rollings said: “This extraordinary meeting has been called for the council to resolve on the parish council’s reply to SHDC, in consultation with other parties involved in the original listing decision, due to the owner of the Chequers Public house requesting a review of the listing.

“The parish council are now requested to submit any information and evidence to demonstrate that it is still realistic to think that there could be a time in the next five years when the property could be used to further the social wellbeing and interests of the community.

“This is also being asked of The Chequers Campaign Group who provided evidence in the original application.

“Council have received a written report from the group to be submitted on their behalf.”

Jan von Draczek, who, along with Geoff Beard, attended the meeting as a representative of the action group, was invited to speak.

He said: “It’s never really been properly marketed at a price which reflects its value.

“The thing that people will ask is that if this is relaxed, and planning is eventually passed, then many other people in the village, maybe farmers, will want special dispensation. If planning rules are relaxed it doesn’t seem to be fair for other people.

“We’ve all got to follow the planning rules. It’s the last pub in the village and we would like to retain it if it’s possible.”

The parish council voted in favour of submitting the report, as given by the Chequers campaign group, on their behalf to South Holland District Council.

Gedney area play areas to remain close

Children in Gedney will have a while to wait until they can play on village play equipment after councillors resolved to keep play areas closed.

The decision was made for play areas at Walker Memorial Park and Gedney Dyke to remain closed due to a number of potential impracticalities highlighted during a risk assesment carried out by Gedney Parish Council.

Chairman Rosemary Rollings said: “Following receipt of the Government guidelines on reopening play areas, the council carried out a risk assessment as per the guidelines to discuss what we can and cannot meet.

“Working on the findings, I propose that we keep the play areas closed for the time being, tape off slides and equipment and put up new signage informing the public.”