“WHILST we own the pub, we will always operate it as a pub.”

That was the message from the owners of The Purefoy Arms, in Preston Candover, this week after residents expressed fears about a planning application.

Owners Red Oak Taverns have applied to build two homes by extending and altering derelict, unused storage buildings at the pub and alterations to the first floor of the pub building to make space for two letting rooms at the venue.

Residents had raised concerns about the venture, feeling it would question the viability of the pub as an operation, but Red Oak Taverns says it would not be making an investment in the letting rooms if it was not committed to the pub as a going concern.

Mark Grunnell, director and co-founder of Red Oak Taverns, which bought the pub in August 2015, said: “There is no threat to the pub in Preston Candover.

Whilst Red Oak Taverns owns the pub, we will always operate it as a pub.

“This application will help ensure the sustainability of the pub.[The homes] will create a bit of money that we can use to reinvest in the pub.”

Mr Grunnell points to other pubs in the area - The Kings Arms in Whitchurch and The Greyhound and The Old House at Home, both in Overton - which the company says it has made sixfigure investments on in recent years as proof of the company’s commitment to running the The Purefoy Arms for the long-term.

The homes being built would be designed for families to buy. Mr Grunnell added: “We like to build family homes as we need more family homes in this country. We like to invest in our buildings and our communities.”

To view the application, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications and search using the reference 17/03773/LBC.