Hare & Hounds Inn: What’s Happening and Why It Matters

Update from WACA

Why is WACA involved?

• WACA is a Community Benefit Society
• Our aim – to represent Wadsworth residents
• Planning policy refers to “community groups” like us
• WACA’s role: networking, research, collating evidence, community voice, purchasing community assets and running them on behalf of the community

What has actually happened?

• In July the Hare and Hounds Inn was put up for sale
• In November 2025, the sale was completed
• It was on the open market for less than one month
• On 13^th January a Change of Use Application was validated by CMBC Planning Dept
• There was no residential Change of Use at point of sale
• There was no consultation with this community group before the sale

Why did WACA not make an offer?

• Effectively prevented from participating in the process because the sellers wanted a quick sale
• Would not be able to raise the funds in such a short time scale
• Reassured by the agent that there were serious potential buyers who would reopen the H&H Inn as a pub

How does WACA know that there is community support?

• Public survey gained 317 responses (as of 22.1.26)
• 98.4% would support WACA in an ACV application for the Hare and Hounds Inn.
• Many offered very positive statements about their wish that the pub remains as a public space.
• These Public Meetings are a chance for us to confirm what we think we already know – the vast majority of the community wish us to fight the closure of the Hare and Hounds Inn.

But the purchasers have moved in – isn’t it up to them now?

• Moving in does not change lawful use – the building remains a pub in legal planning terms.
• This is not about personal choice – it is about following legal planning procedures.
• The purchaser identified himself as “Property Developer” on Companies House. We believe he will have known that this was a speculative purchase.
• Planning law balances private rights and community impact.

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WACA’s Response

Why is planning involved at all?

On 13^th January a Change of Use Application was validated by CMBC Planning Dept

Policy HW4 – Safeguarding Community Facilities and Services

Development proposals which would lead to the loss of community facilities, including but not limited to public houses, village shops or post offices, will not be supported unless:

• An appropriate alternative is provided; or
• It can be demonstrated that the facility is no longer required within the local area or is no longer viable; and all reasonable efforts have been made to retain the facility and other alternative community uses and community ownership and designation as an Asset of Community Value have been considered;

WACA’s Research

• based on fact, using Local Authority Policies
• not based on personal opinion or emotions (although those obviously come into play!)

We believe we have a strong set of arguments objecting to the Change of Use application submitted for the Hare and Hounds Inn

Our checklist comes direct from Planning Policy:

1: Appropriate alternative

2: No longer required

3: No longer viable

4: All reasonable efforts have been made to retain the facility… (including) community ownership

 

Details of WACA’s Research

1: No appropriate alternative

• The Hare and Hounds Inn was the only pub in Old Town
• Post Office café: not open into evenings or Sundays
• Cricket club: no public bar
• Community centre: event based or booked use only
• Wainsgate Chapel: event-based, not every day social space
• Public transport not accessible to all, especially at night
• Policy considers practical access, not maps

2: The pub is required

• The only open, informal social space
• No booking. No membership. No obligation.
• Open to everyone, alone or together.
• Vital “Third Space” – not home, not work
• The only walkable evening and weekend meeting place
• This kind of social infrastructure cannot be recreated once closed

Once lost – gone for ever

3: The pub is viable

• Temporary trading difficulties don’t prove anything
• Viability depends on the model, not the building
• Experienced local bar owner has advised it can be
• Free House models are potentially viable
• Community pubs show exceptionally high survival
• Clear evidence from survey and research of local use and demand

4: No reasonable efforts have been made to retain the facility…. (including) community ownership

• Pub was effectively on the market for 19 days
• Local successful bar owner tried to view but was told it was already sold
• Community Group given no opportunity to look at viability of making an offer
• WACA is misrepresented in the CoU application

Therefore WACA is asking for the process to be paused to allow the developer to do what they should have done in the first place – consult with the community about ways in which the Hare and Hounds Inn could be maintained.

 

How do we do this?

Using Calderdale’s Planning Process

1. Change of Use application submitted to Calderdale Planning
2. Anyone can submit comments
3. Every submission counts
4. Decisions are based on policy and evidence

There is no appeal against a granted Change of Use Application

How do I Submit an Objection on CMBC’s Planning Portal?

• Go to Calderdale’s Planning Portal
• Search for the keywords “Hare and Hounds”
• Select the Change of Use application from pub to single residence
• Read the “Details” of the Change of Use
• Find the “Comments” tab        
• Read others’ “Public Comments”
• “Make a Comment”
• Focus on planning reasons, especially:
• loss of the village’s only pub
• social and community impact
• lack of alternatives
• lack of consultation with community groups

Keep it personal and factual.

Every individual comment counts and is recorded.

Submit before the deadline.

Please remember, there is no chance to save the pub after the deadline of 3^rd February 2026