Fantastic news!  The Chequers PH in High Street, Sutton has been listed by East Cambridgeshire District Council as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV) under the terms of the Localism Act 2011.

The council has written to me to confirm that it has accepted the Parish Council’s application for the Chequers to be listed:

“The Council’s ACV panel has determined that this property does qualify as an Asset of Community Value and it will be included on the Council’s list of Assets of Community Value for the following reason:

• The Chequers has been approved as an Asset of Community Value as it demonstrates that the venue is used for a variety of reasons as well as being a public house. It is used by a variety of groups which includes darts players, walkers, cyclists and other groups. As well as being used as a place for eating and drinking it is also a social hub for the village.  The pub has historical significance with reference dating back to around 1811 and is now the only pub in Sutton.  The venue is used as a point of contact for new residents, providing information about the village and its services as well as a meeting place for local people, providing themed evenings for social interaction. It is also used as a place to commemorate family events such as birthdays and funerals.”

This new status means that the owners cannot change its use or demolish it without allowing its users to comment; and the planning inspectorate can use it as a factor in refusing planning consent for change of use or demolition.  It also allows the community to bid to purchase the building to ensure its continued use as a pub.

The owners must tell the council if they wish to sell the pub, and a community group that wishes to buy it has six months to put together the money. This decision will help protect our remaining local pub.