Crook goes to court

0 - 0 • Published 6 Apr 2009 12:30 0 Comments

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Peeblesshire"s oldest pub face a year-long wait to be served.

Businessman James Doonan, who bought the Crook Inn at Tweedsmuir two years ago, is taking his fight to the Court of Session.

Mr Doonan has had several attempts turned down in his bid to convert the 400-year-old coaching inn into flats.

And his appeal to the Scottish Government last year was also refused.

Former regulars of the remote Crook, which can claim such famous patrons as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan, formed the Tweedsmuir Company within months of the tenacious tavern owner calling time on their popular pub.

And they won Community Right to Buy status from Holyrood at the start of last year - allowing them first refusal if the inn is placed on the open market.

But this week"s announcement of further legal challenges means they will have to be patient.

Duncan Davidson, chairman of the Tweedsmuir Community Company, told the Peeblesshire News: 'We are still very keen to get the Crook back functioning for the community.

"This appeal will probably take a year or more, but we will continue with what we set out to achieve.'

A meeting did take place two weeks ago between the campaigners and representatives of the owner. And it is hoped that further discussions will follow.

Mr Davidson added: 'We are talking with Mr Doonan"s people but there is a long way to go.'

Although the flat plans for the Crook Inn won favour with planning officials in Peebles they were thrown out by members of Tweeddale Area Committee.

The decision was appealed by Mr Doonan"s Inverwest Ltd and a hearing took place in Peebles last November.

Reporter Dannie Onn stated: 'As a public house, the building can be a valuable resource, supporting the tourist economy and the local community, whereas the proposed development would be unlikely to contribute beyond a short-term construction phase.'

But that decision is now being challenged through the Court of Session"s Inner House. A spokesman for Scottish Borders Council told us: 'We will be watching the Court"s decision with interest.

'The developers" proposals were turned down by the council and the we were pleased to see that our decision was supported by the Reporter who determined the case.'

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Apr 09

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