New boost for Ripon villagers in ten-year campaign to save historic pub from demolition

In a major boost to the campaign to save the Henry Jenkins pub in Kirkby Malzeard from demolition, Inspector M Clowes has rejected proposals to build a holiday let in part of the overgrown beer garden - dismissed by villagers as a deliberate attempt to sabotage their plans.

Rejecting the appeal submitted by Justin Claybourn, who owns part of the pub, after North Yorkshire Council’s decision to refuse planning permission, Inspector M Clowes said: “The conversion of the outbuildings to a holiday let would effectively landlock the remaining Henry Jenkins Inn with land in the appellant’s control.

"I am not satisfied that it has been demonstrated that the Inn could viably be operated as a public house without the land comprising the appeal site.”

Residents in Kirkby Malzeard have been campaigning for the best part of ten years to save the 250-year-old pub, located seven miles from Ripon and 15 miles from Harrogate.

Richard Sadler, chairman of the 140-strong Henry Jenkins Community Pub group, said: “This decision gives a huge boost to our campaign to save this much-missed pub which used to be the beating heart of our village but which has been allowed to fall into a disgraceful state by the current owner.

“The social value of local pubs in rural areas is increasingly being recognised and the stand taken by Inspector M Clowes underlines the importance of planning policies put in place to stop us losing facilities like this that are so vital to local communities."

In a further boost for campaigners, the Planning Inspector said that the restoration and reopening of the Henry Jenkins would provide additional choice for residents and visitors.

“I am mindful that there remain a sizeable number of objections to the current proposal which also advocate support for the reopening of the Henry Jenkins as a community pub,” said Inspector M Clowes.

She added that there was evidence that the inn would be valued by local residents as well as visitors to the area.

Key to her decision was the owner’s failure to carry out an independent valuation or properly market the Henry Jenkins as a pub.

Inspector M Clowes, who carried out a site visit, also criticised the owners for stripping out the interior of the building and failing to maintain it.

So far, Henry Jenkins Community Pub Ltd has raised £148,000 in deposits from local supporters towards the cost of purchase and refurbishment of the Henry Jenkins as a community-owned pub, bistro and coffee shop.

Richard Sadler said: "Inspector M Clowes made reference to this in her report, acknowledging our continued commitment as a group and the strong support in the village for what we're trying to achieve.

"This will greatly assist discussions with North Yorkshire Council on how we can finally break the stalemate and secure the Henry Jenkins for our community."

Over recent years seven offers by the group to purchase all or part of the Henry Jenkins have been rejected by the owner.

In 2024 Henry Jenkins Community Pub was awarded a £330,000 grant under the Conservative Government's Community Ownership Fund.

But the offer was later withdrawn because the group was unable to reach agreement with the owner.