VILLAGERS have been given one last chance to turn a derelict pub into a “community

asset”.

Colchester Council’s planning committee discussed proposals to turn the former Langenhoe Lion in Mersea Road into four homes.

The recommendation was to approve the plans, providing certain conditions were met.

However, a proposition to defer the decision for a month was put on the table.

The debate was whether more time should be given to get residents and the developer together to come up with a solution, such as a community shop.

Two previous applications were submitted in 2014 and 2016 to create some sort of commercial space or GP surgery, but they fell through due to a lack of interest.

Abberton and Langenhoe Parish Council strongly opposed the plans for housing, saying there would be a “substantial loss of community spirit”. It said elderly residents are having to rely on neighbours to get food as there is no convenience shop nearby.

Residents have already put themselves forward to help run a community shop which could take up a small section of the building.

Town planner Robert Pomery said the building has been empty for at least eight years and no other options have proved to be viable, deliverable or safe on highways grounds.

Councillor Patricia Moore suggested at least some of the building should be a community enterprise.

She said: “Apart from the village hall there are only private clubs providing social cohesion.

“There has been no proper consultation, we should either turn the application down or defer it for consultation with the village.”

Planning officers said the developer had concerns over turning part of the building into a shop as there would be problems with parking and it would not be clear who would run the shop, or what would happen if it failed to be successful.

Councillor Cyril Liddy (Lab) said although he felt sorry for the community, the plans came down to footfall.

He said: “I think this is a sad day for Colchester. Having said that these decisions are largely facilitated by a lack of footfall and lack of support.

“I have reservations about a small shop.”

Councillor Jackie Maclean said: “If we deferred it I don’t think it would be detrimental.

“We can ask the developer to engage with local needs and come up with a business plan.”

“If there is a need for it and it would work, we can explore that, giving a fair chance for the locals.

“I would feel a lot happier knowing we have given it one last chance.”

But councillor Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem) said deferring the application will not lead to a shop being built.

She said: “It has been tried and tested and it’s just going to sit there for ten years.

“If they want a community asset I think there are other ways of doing it.”

But the committee agreed to defer a decision for a month.