A NORTH Yorkshire village seems certain to lose its pub, even though an application for new homes on the site has failed to win support.

Newton-le-Willows, near Bedale, has already lost its post office, shop and village school, and The Wheatsheaf Hotel represents the community's sole remaining facility.

However, owner Matthew Slinger claims there is not enough custom to make it viable as a business, and, this week, Richmondshire District Council was asked to consider an application to convert the building into flats, with nine new properties planned for the grounds.

The planning committee decided not to back the scheme for now as most members considered it to be over-intensive.

Mr Slinger is to be invited to submit a smaller project - which would confirm the demise of the pub, should it be approved.

The council's development control officer, Peter Featherstone, said: "At this stage, I would not rule out the possibility of redeveloping the pub itself, but it would remain to be seen whether this would produce a better overall scheme.''