A PUBLICAN has criticised a local authority after he was refused permission to build a micro-brewery and holiday accommodation.

Marcus Lund, who owns the Arden Arms in Atley Hill, near South Cowton - between Darlington and Northallerton, North Yorkshire - wanted to build three timber holiday cabins and a two-storey brewery at the back of the pub.

Planning officers at Hambleton District Council said it would be intrusive and the development control committee refused to grant planning permission.

Mr Lund said: "Going back to the Seventies and Eighties, the pub has been bankrupt twice, closed for two or three years and had a serious fire.

"It also had an application for a change of use into a private dwelling refused - so these councillors want it to be a pub, but they don't want it to get better and grow.

"If the pub is bankrupt again and closes for two years, will they still say these plans would have a visual impact?"