CAMPAIGNERS in Selborne have stepped up the fight to Save the Queens as new bidders emerge and councillors are faced with a decision on a proposed change of use for the former hotel.

The application, registered with the South Downs National Park Authority by Derek Warwick Developments, is for the conversion and alteration of the existing Queens Hotel building and barn to form four residential dwellings, including demolition of single-storey structures, and the erection of one detached dwelling within the grounds, with associated parking and landscaping.

Determined to save the ailing building and restore it to full community use, a decision to grant change of use to allow more housing, would, says the 100-strong community interest group Save the Queens, “override the wishes of the majority of local residents and disregard the economic and community value of the historic pub to the village and wider area”.

It is a bold claim that flies in the face of an East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) decision to turn down a fourth application by Selborne Parish Council to secure an asset of community value designation for the now derelict pub building.

The decision notice, dated September 9, concluded that EHDC remained unconvinced by the level of community support for reinstating The Queens, and by the availability of funding that would be required to invest in reinstating and running the property.

EHDC required more evidence, it seemed, to show the intentions of Save The Queens Ltd in buying, restoring and running The Queens as a community pub to be feasible and therefore realistic.

Save The Queens has refuted these claims, based on the fact that, in its opinion, the property had been over valued and that there had indeed been interest in purchasing the building to remain as a pub rather than for redevelopment.

Save The Queen chairman Caroline Rye said: “Recently, Save The Queens, which has consistently refuted the current owner’s claim that there is no interest in the building as a pub, has received important boosts.

“One is that a valuation commissioned by the owners actually values the pub in its present state as even lower than the recent independent ‘red book’ valuation commissioned and paid for by members of Save The Queens.

“Another is that bids to buy the building and retain it as a pub are now emerging from individuals or small groups of local investors. So far, one has been refused, another is currently on going.”

She added: “We have always maintained that the price demanded by the agents over the past two years has been artificially high, which has deterred potential purchasers, and thus did not fulfil the obligations to market the pub openly and fairly before declaring that it could not be sold as a pub.

“Both valuations now confirm that the owner’s near total destruction of The Queens’ interior has hugely diminished its value, and thus have arrived at more realistic values likely to attract small local multiple operators or individuals.

“It is vital that councillors recognise the importance of retaining this pub which provided facilities not available elsewhere in the village, particularly much needed visitor accommodation as the village is a prime tourist destination in this part of the national park.”

The current planning application is to be determined by EHDC planners who were due to undertake a site visit last week.