CONTROVERSIAL proposals for the redevelopment of two Greatham pubs could still be given the go-ahead after the developers lodged an appeal.

The plans to demolish The Silver Birch and build 16 homes, and erect two homes in part of the existing car park at The Queens were unanimously rejected by district councillors last summer.

This left the future of the two Petersfield Road inns, which are both closed, hanging in the balance.

For although The Silver Birch was to be axed, the money that was going to be made from the housing development would have been ploughed into the refurbishment of The Queens.

But this week the two companies, Pitch Ltd and Greene King, have appealed to the secretary of state against the decision, and the appeal will now be heard at a public inquiry.

The inquiry could result in either or both of the plans being given the thumbs-up.

Judy Onslow, district councillor for Greatham, told The Herald she was Òlooking forwardÓ to the appeal.

ÒObviously we are concerned at the facilities for the people of Greatham and obviously we hope that there will be a sensible outcome for the community,Ó she said.

It was in July last year that the plans were rejected by EHDCÕs south planning committee.

The owners of both pubs claimed that there was no longer enough trade to keep both businesses open.

Therefore developers Pitch Ltd submitted plans to the district council to build 16 homes after the demolition of The Silver Birch.

And at the same time, brewery company Greene King applied for planning permission for two detached home on part of the car park at The Queens.

The proposals said that a minimum of £175,000 would then be spent on doing up The Queens.

Committee members were told that The Silver Birch would Ònever open againÓ due to the ÒunaffordableÓ cost of refurbishment and that the future viability of The Queens probably rested on the cash from The Silver Birch.

But the plans came under attack from both local residents and parish councillors, who believed that there was no guarantee that refurbishing The Queens would make it a viable business, and feared that it, too, could be lost.

Therefore, against officer advice, district councillors threw out the proposals on the grounds that the 16 homes would be a Òsignificant intrusionÓ of development in a rural area.

Another key reason for turning down the proposals was that it would result in the loss of an ÒessentialÓ community facility in the village and it would diminish employment opportunities.

The proposals for two detached homes on the site of The Queens was described as Òan unacceptable overdevelopmentÓ.

Anyone who would like to comment on the applications should write to The Planning Inspectorate. Comments should be received by February 21.

However, residents who sent letters to the district council at the application stage when the plans were submitted do not need to write again as these will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate.