A local councillor has failed in his personal bid to halt the conversion of a centuries old village pub into affordable housing.
Bob Spink said the loss of Inverkeilor’s Chance Inn would be another costly blow to the village after the loss of its post office and shop.
But the independent Arbroath East and Lunan member who has lived in Inverkeilor for more than 30 years failed to find a seconder for his opposition to an official approval recommendation for the Infinitas2 bid to create seven one and two-bed flats within the old sandstone building.
Mr Spink said: “The fear of Inverkeilor becoming a soulless dormitory community looms large.
“When I came to Inverkeilor 34 years ago, apart from the rural location I was drawn by the range of facilities and at the centre of those was a real pub, a place to go and socialise.”
The applicant firm had highlighted a succession of owners in recent years, alongside unsuccessful efforts to market the Chance, which has lain empty for two years.
Fellow development standards committee member, Councillor Alex King, said: “I fully expected Mr Spink to make a strong defence of the Chance Inn, but quite honestly it was not providing much of a service.
“It is regrettable when villages like Inverkeilor lose facilities such as the post office and shop, and they have already lost the pub it’s been gone for two years.
“The drink driving laws and propensity for people to drink at home has left a situation where traditional pubs unless they are in the middle of towns are just no longer viable.
“We’ve got to move with the times and accept that there is no demand for this any more,” he added.
“What’s being proposed will put more affordable housing in that is needed in Angus.
“These homes will bring more people to the village, more kids to the school and hopefully that might lead to the prospect of the shop opening again.”
The applicant’s agent, Jim Brown, said: “We understand the people of Inverkeilor are disappointed, but it has lain empty for two years without any hope of it re-opening as a pub.
“This nice old building can be given a new lease of life and these homes will help bring a new prosperity and vitality to the village.”
Photo by Angus Pictures