A PUBLICAN who wants to turn a village pub into a house has appealed against a council's decision to refuse her planning permission.

Kate Atwood, of the Half Moon Inn, in Helperby, near Easingwold, believes the pub is no longer viable and said no buyers had met the asking price of £395,000, or £25,000 a year in rent.

In June, Hambleton District Council's planning committee turned down her application to change the building into a four-bedroomed property.

The Half Moon Inn, which has closed, is one of four pubs in Helperby. One of the others, the Farmers Inn, also recently closed. Neighbours objected to Mrs Atwood's plans, and said the pub provided a valuable service to the village. They drew up a 200-signature petition protesting against the proposal.

Five years ago, the pub was presented with a Campaign For Real Ale Country Pub of the Season award.

A hearing into Mrs Atwood's appeal will be held in the Civic Centre, Northallerton, at a date yet to be fixed. The grounds of appeal are available to view at the same venue.