CONTROVERSIAL proposals to demolish a mothballed village pub and build 12 houses on the site where it stands will be debated by planners tomorrow.

Developer Yorvik Homes wants to bulldoze the Swaledale Arms, in Morton-on-Swale, between Northallerton and Bedale, to make way for houses.

The pub closed in July 2006 and has stood vacant ever since, becoming derelict because of a lack of maintenance.

Morton-on-Swale parish council has backed the plans, describing the site as an “eyesore”.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) is opposed to the plans, saying that it does not want a village amenity to be lost.

In papers circulated to members of Hambleton District Council’s planning committee, Camra said: “The application is incorrect as it describes the building as the ‘former Swaledale Arms public house’ - in fact, it continues to be the Swaledale Arms, which is currently not trading.

“The owners could re-open the business as a going concern, following suitable renovation works, but have chosen not to.

“We would contend that the owners have never had any interest in operating the Swaledale Arms as a business.

“There is no evidence of any investment, by them, in its upkeep, or of efforts to retain what could be a valuable local amenity.

“Located as it is on the main A684, there is no reason why the Swaledale Arms could not operate as a viable business, with imaginative operation and management.”

In its application, Yorvik Homes said the pub had been marketed as a going concern, for a number of years, without success.

In a report to members, planning officer Jonathan Saddington wrote: “The views of the parish council and the local community have been sought in order to identify the importance of the pub.

“The parish council is actively in support of the site being re-developed for housing, while only one local resident objects to the application.

“Furthermore, two pubs currently operate within close proximity to the application site - the Wellington Heifer, in Ainderby Steeple and the Old Royal George, in Morton-on-Swale itself.

“It would be difficult to argue that three village pubs in such close proximity to each other are essential to the continued vitality of village life.”

Officers have recommended the scheme be approved by the committee, which meets at 1.30pm tomorrow, at Hambleton Civic Centre, in Northallerton.