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Hope for campaigners as pub owner wants to sell );
A VILLAGE pub which shut almost eight years ago could re-open under new ownership.
Satwinder Sandhu, who bought the White Lion at Crays Pond in 2013 and lived there unlawfully with his family, has told South Oxfordshire District Council that he wants to sell the premises.
The former Greene King pub has been declared an asset of community value by the council so he can’t market it until September under a statutory six-month moratorium to give residents time to make an offer.
The Save the White Lion action group, which has been fighting to restore its use as a pub, has formed a non-profit company which will prepare a bid.
Agreement to protect rural pubs );
A MOTION to protect village pubs across South Oxfordshire has been approved.
Peter Dragonetti, who represents Whitchurch on the district council, put forward the motion in support of a campaign to revive the former White Lion at Crays Pond, which has been closed for eight years.
The motion said the council’s planning officers should use all legal powers to protect pubs, whether or not they are officially designated as assets of community value.
Councillor Dragonetti hopes this will make it easier for villagers to obtain a compulsory purchase order on the White Lion, which was made a community asset some months ago, if owner Satwinder Sandhu won’t sell or relet it.
Village pub could re-open after almost eight years );
THE White Lion at Crays Pond could re-open almost eight years after it shut.
Businessman Satwinder Sandhu, who bought the former Greene King pub in 2013, is understood to be in talks with new tenants who could run it jointly on a lease of about five years.
Mr Sandhu had been living at the premises with his family, despite not having permission to use it as a private residence, and only left when South Oxfordshire District Council obtained a High Court order.
Last year, a group of villagers successfully campaigned to have the pub relisted as an asset of community value, which makes it harder for Mr Sandhu to sell.
Former village pub made asset of community value once again );
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CAMPAIGNERS have succeeded in having a former village pub relisted as an asset of community value despite opposition from the owner.
They want to re-open the White Lion at Crays Pond as a community “hub” with shops selling local produce, a coffee shop or bar and other amenities.
The pub was first registered as a community asset after it closed in 2013 and was bought by businessman Satwinder Sandhu.
He failed to re-open it and lived at the property unlawfully with his family until being forced to leave in 2019.