THE fate of The Cherry Tree pub in Rowledge is yet to be settled, after Waverley Borough Council confirmed it is seeking legal advice on an application to register the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The 17th century inn closed its doors in March, just weeks before brewing giant Greene King completed its sale to Badshot Lea-based developer D’zign Build Ltd - fuelling speculation that the much-loved village pub may have pulled its last pint.

A fledgling community group set up to save The Cherry Tree submitted an ACV application to the borough council prior to it changing hands, which Waverley would usually be required to determine within eight weeks.

However, the ACV nomination has been complicated by the 17th century inn’s sale midway through the nomination process, and this deadline has now passed without a resolution.

A council spokesman said: “The council is in the unusual situation whereby the property was subject to a freehold sale part-way through the ACV nomination process and so, is seeking legal advice on how to best deal with the nomination.

“As a result, the council has not been able to make the decision within standard eight weeks of the nomination being received. We will make a decision as soon as possible.”

ACV status would prevent any current or future owners of The Cherry Tree from changing its legal use without going through the full planning process - including having to convince the council that the property is no longer an asset to the community.

In addition, if the property was put back up for sale, the local community would be given six months to raise the money and purchase it before it goes on general sale. If successfully nominated, The Cherry Tree would stay listed for five years.

Waverley currently has 10 registered assets of community value: Cranleigh Village Hospital, Haslemere Police Station, Rowledge Village Hall, The White Horse pub in Hascombe, Alford Stores, The Haslemere Youth Campus, The Sun Inn in Dunsfold, Chiddingfold Ex-Servicemen’s Club, The Bulls Head pub in Ewhurst and The Villagers pub in Blackheath.

In a further development, the new owners of The Cherry Tree have withdrawn a change of use application to convert the building to offices. The Herald has emailed the developer’s planning agent CT Foo Associates seeking clarification, but is yet to receive a reply.

It has been speculated that a change of use to offices could open the door for the pub’s future conversion to a residential development under permitted development rights - something the ACV application seeks to prevent.