13/12/2024
Please see below a statement from the owner lf the Light Dragoon:
The following statement is issued on behalf of Mr Wayne Low, recent purchaser of the former public house, the Light Dragoon, Etton.
We would like to clarify the situation regarding work at the Light Dragoon and to correct certain points of mis-information that have been circulating recently.
As most will know, we had hoped to re-develop the site for quality, low-density housing along with some tourism initiative, but agreed to withdraw this proposal following meetings with your Parish Council and local residents, some of whom expressed their objection to our scheme.
As an alternative and in an attempt to breathe new life into this very important site, we are now planning to re-open the Light Dragoon as a viable public house by March 2025.
However, before this can happen, extensive and costly internal refurbishment and improvement works must be undertaken to put right the damage caused by years of neglect.
This includes: re-organisation and re-building of internal walls that had become unstable; removal and replacement of rotten floor joists and roof trusses, installation of insulation to walls, floors and roof, renew roof covering, re-wiring and re-plumbing, removal of leaking flat roof covering and rotten joists.
This is not in any way demolition of the property, moreover extensive and much needed refurbishment and we are advised by our planning consultants and planning legal team that this work does not require official planning consent.
It is worth reminding ourselves that during those years of neglect, the property was registered as an Asset of Community Value offered to the community but with no takers. It was placed on the open market but again there were no buyers.
We, as local independent property developers, purchased the site with the intention of providing something of value to the village, something that would be welcomed by residents and would enhance the local amenity and streetscene.
In recent months, we have worked closely with and communicated regularly with the Parish Council and we are grateful for their total support in this our current project.
We hope this removes any concerns people might have and look forward to the support of local residents as we endeavour to deliver a viable, welcoming public house that we believe will play an integral role in the life of your village.
Thank you
Mike Stathers
For and on behalf of Wayne Low and his team.
