The last pub in a village will remain an asset of community value after an appeal to turn it into housing was rejected.

Great Ryburgh's Blue Boar Inn has been part of an ongoing saga as talks to convert the venue into flats prompted villagers to launch a campaign to make it an asset of community value.

The pub owners asked North Norfolk District Council for planning advice over the conversion of the premises into five flats and two semi-detached homes.

The Save Blue Boar Inn Steering Group formed shortly after to rescue the pub from being converted into housing.

Lesley Weston, one of the group's volunteers, said: "It's a listed building in a protected conservation area of the village, and it's the last remaining pub."

The pub will remain an asset of community value for five years.The pub will remain an asset of community value for five years. (Image: Matthew Usher)
The group, along with the support of more than 200 villagers, successfully campaigned to have it listed as an asset of community value with intentions to buy it. 

The listing was then appealed - but the council's decision on Monday, July 29, said it was unsuccessful.

A spokesman for the council said: "The asset shall remain on the council's list of assets of community value for five years."

Ms Weston was thrilled with the news. 

"We are very excited and the timing is excellent.

"The Labour government has proposed a community right to buy and, if it passes through parliament, it will benefit our efforts to save the Blue Boar." 

More than £150,000 has already been pledged to the campaign to purchase the pub.

If the group is able to purchase the building, it will be the second community-owned asset in the village.

Fifteen years ago, the Ryburgh Village Shop and post office on Station Road was bought by villagers and continues to be supported by volunteers.

Save the Blue Boar Inn Steering Group will have its first fundraiser next week Friday at 6.30pm near St Andrew's Church on Mill Road.