PLANS have been passed that will save the last pub in Epping Green – thanks to funds raised from houses being built in its car park. Planning permission has been granted for the construction of three three-bedroom houses in the Travellers Friend’s car park area reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

The pub, which has been vacant since 2019, will be renovated using income from the housing development. The pub’s reopening comes after the closure and demolition of the village’s other pub, the Cock and Magpie, in 2022.

The demolition of certain parts of the Travellers Friend will allow the formation of a customer car parking area to the rear on the building which will provide seven parking spaces. But concerns have been raised around the viability of the “community pub” given the number of car parking spaces available. A planning officer said: “It is unclear how the public house would function particularly in the long term due to the reduced car park and spaces and reduced floor plan.”

In words spoken by the agent of the applicant said: “The property was purchased by a group of socially aware investors with a view to providing a sustainable development making best use of a public house and car park which I had visited many times in my younger days being from Loughton. Following the purchase I was invited to speak at a local community meeting to understand their feelings towards having this public house reopened. It was overwhelming to see the number of people interested in the last remaining opportunity in the community to have a social meeting place outside the village hall.”

He said several operators, both independent and from larger breweries, have expressed interest in the planned conversion, and there will be a lease granted on the premises for five years from the date of renovation.

Councillor Chris Whitbread said: “There is a strong community feeling to return the pub to its former use. The village now lacks any real amenity which is vital to a vibrant local community such as Epping Green. It was a shame to see the Cock and Magpie disappear recently. This application does give an opportunity to bring the village a much-needed facility, and I know I would be welcomed.”

A condition was included to ensure the pub must reopen before the houses are inhabited.