PUBLIC opposition continues to grow against the planned demolition of a 250-year-old Lower Withington pub to enable a housing development on the site.

Letters of objection to pull down the historic Black Swan, Trap Street, include one from a director at Jodrell Bank as well as a local pre-school and more than 200 from members of the public and residents.

An application to demolish the18th century pub has been resubmitted, with its recently-awarded protective status also under threat.

The owners of the hostelry have applied to build three homes on the site of the pub, which has been closed since early 2016, but was registered as an asset of community value (ACV) by Cheshire East Council last summer.

In his letter of objection Jodrell Bank director Simon Garrington said: “In the case of the proposal 17/6356M, we oppose this development. Our view is that the impact from the additional potential contribution to the existing level of interference coming from that direction will be relatively minor. This is a general direction in which there is already significant development close to the telescope.”

In a further objection by Hannah Lawson of Chelford Pre-School, she writes: “On behalf of staff and parents, I wish to add the support of us all. We are a team of 10 and we all live locally. As the pub is so centrally located to us all, the Black Swan has always been a perfect venue for staff nights out and meetings.

“We are committee-run and found the pub an ideal location for our half termly committee meetings. I find it abhorrent that such an important asset to the area and its residents may soon be turned into houses.”

Tim Pearson who is spearheading the plan said: “The future of the Black Swan remains uncertain after submission of nearly 200 objections to demolition of the 250 year-old pub and its replacement with three houses. Public objections already submitted lamented the potential loss of the local community asset, as well as questioning the extent of the owners’ efforts to genuinely market and sell the pub as a going concern.”

According to Mr Pearson, Lower Withington Parish Council has recorded its opposition, citing various conflicts with planning policy and with the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy.

The application was called in for discussion at full committee by Cheshire East Council. In parallel, the owners’ appeal against the CEC nomination of the pub as an asset of community value, will shortly be considered by a judge at a specially convened tribunal.

He added: “February will be a crucial month for the future of the Swan.

“We are grateful that even more people have taken the trouble to record their continued objection to any planning application which proposes demolition and urge CEC to recognise the weight of local support for our cause.”

A planning statement submitted with the development plan said the new owner of The Black Swan in 2012 had decided that the previously failed pub business would benefit from being refurbished and enhanced to improve it.

It was hoped that the refurbishments would turn the business round. The applicant committed to making these improvements and refurbishments with the hope of creating a popular place to visit for food and drink and ultimately make a superior drinking and eating establishment.

Despite best efforts, the applicant unfortunately was unable to make the business economically viable The Black Swan had been running at a considerable loss. It was not sustainable to continue operating and as a result the pub closed to the public in April 2016.

A decision is expected on the development plan next month.