Ropsley Fox’s tale goes on with new plans for pub

The owner of The Ropsley Fox is once again applying for permission to convert the pub into dwellings, in amended plans that also propose keeping part of the building as a community facility.

The Ropsley Fox, on Grantham Road, has been the subject of previous applications by owner Dave Smith, in 2014 and 2015, that were withdrawn.

After what the applicant describes as ‘lengthy discussions’ with South Kesteven District Council, he has submitted new plans to turn the 17th Century pub into two rather than three homes, with the remainder kept as a community facility. Yet the application also highlights that this part has been on the market for over two months and has received ‘minimal interest’.

It follows an outcry from villagers over the previous applications. Residents were due to discuss this latest plan at Thursday night’s parish meeting.

Prior to this, nearby resident Craig Chambers said: “As we have seen before, it is the second application which always comes next, to build housing on the pub’s car park, that is the big worry.”

No second application has yet been made, and Mr Smith has always contested he did all he could to keep the pub going as a viable business. He did not respond to the Journal before going to press.