Local Developer Continues to Dismiss Claims By Councillors They Saved a Pub

A property developer has dismissed claims from three Conservative councillors that they intervened to save a local pub from demolition.

Wayne Low, from Richmond Properties (UK) Limited, was speaking out after yet more reports surfaced in the media claiming a public house he owned, The Game Bird, on Holme Church Lane, was saved from being knocked down to make way for housing.

Cllrs Kerri Harold, Dominic Peacock and David Elvidge claimed they had won an important victory, helping overturn plans and saving the pub.

But Mr Low insists his first aim was always to sell the pub on, and documents provided by Mr Low show that he had agreed to sell the Game Bird to Batemans weeks before the councillors claimed their victory.

Speaking to HU17.net Mr Low said:

“These Councillors had nothing at all to do with saving this pub, they certainly did not intervene, this is clear for all to see from public documents.”

“Had I not carried out the extensive refurbishment of the pub it would have almost certainly been demolished.”

A high-profile campaign was launched to save The Game Bird after residents raised concerns over planning application logged by Richmond Properties (UK) Limited on September 8 2014.

However, just nine days later a sale was agreed with Batemans. Richmond Properties (UK) Limited say they has been in talks with the new owners since May 2014 making it clear they were selling the public house to pursue other business interests.

Mr. Low admitted that had the sale fallen through he would indeed have pursued the planning application, as he felt running a pub was just not commercially viable.

He said:

“Had the pub not sold, the application would have been refused locally and I would have appealed and won, as I do with so many other appeals.”

Following a recent report into the decline in pubs in Beverley, the whole issue relating to The Game Bird was again raised which has prompted Richmond Properties (UK) Limited to respond to claims in the media they wanted to demolish a pub.

Mr. Low feels that his business and ultimately his reputation is being used as a political pawn to score cheap points in the lead up to the election.

He continued:

“This is nothing more than electioneering, claiming that they have made a difference when all that has been done is the delivery of more rhetoric.”

Cllr Harold commented;

“We were acting in our capacity as ward councillors in supporting residents in objecting to a live planning application. As ward Councillor that is our job.”

Mr Low’s line of work often sees his business come under fire, he added;

“I know as a developer I am always seen as the bad guy but focus should be given to what is now a fabulous pub that has been bought by a great brewery.”