The fate of a former pub in East Cambridgeshire has been sealed after the council gave the green light to a planning application.

Odyssey Pensions lodged a planning application to East Cambridgeshire District Council to convert the site of The Cherry Tree, in Haddenham, into a property, with three additional homes on the grounds. 

In a planning statement prepared by Indigo Architects, it states that The Cherry Tree is no longer considered viable. 

The statement says that the owner of the business pursued "unsuccessful" alternative community use, including, "a café/bar offering hot and cold drinks, along with breakfast and lunch, weekly midwife services and Christmas fayres."

It also confirms that the owner of the business made "all reasonable efforts" to sell the property for 19 months - including lowering the asking price, discussions with Haddenham Parish Council, Haddenham Community Land Trust and offering the residents the opportunity to purchase shares of the business.

The proposal is for the existing pub to be converted into a four-bedroom house. The bar and lounge area will be turned into an open plan kitchen, lounge, study and dining room with a separate snug. 

The kitchen will be the master bedroom with an ensuite, and the toilets and smaller kitchen to become a boot room, shower room and a utility room. 

The remaining site allows for three houses, all one-and-a-half storey, with three bedrooms. 

The statement assures that Haddenham will not be left without a pub or café, as there is a Greene King pub, the Haddenham Arts Centre Café, the Sports and Social Club and a Micro Pub. 

A neighbour to The Cherry Tree said in support of the application: "Although we are still really sorry to see The Cherry Tree go, we now feel this is a suitable development."

To read the council's decision in full, click here.