A COMMUNITY campaign to save a Somerset pub from conversion into housing or demolition has received a boost.

A planning application to convert the Britannia Inn, in Wells, into homes has been rejected by Somerset Council – giving a bid to buy the property and bring it back into use as a public house, a boost.

It came as the group continues to welcome people to a share offer in the venture, which has been pushed through a stall at Wells market in recent weeks.

The East Wells Community Benefit Society (EWCBS) was set up nearly two years ago with the aim of buying and reopening the Britannia Inn as a community pub for the people of east Wells.

The council’s decision to refuse housing on the site of the Britannia Inn removes the immediate threat to the pub of redevelopment, but the group continues to raise funds necessary to buy the property and bring it back.

People have until January 2 to purchase community shares in the scheme.

For more details, and to download an application form, visit www.savethebritanniainnwells.org.

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The Britannia Inn, in Bath Road, Wells