A “COMPLETELY DERELICT” village pub near Taunton could be converted into three homes, if plans are approved.

A ‘viability statement’ application has been submitted to Somerset Council by Corfe Estates Limited for the change of use of The White Hart Inn, at Corfe.

The plans outline how the pub “has not made a profit in the last 20+ years” and could not be extended, has no letting rooms, with the previous tenants served with an eviction notice having “not paid rent in two years”.

Efforts to sell the business over three years have also failed, the application said, despite an asking price “£50,000 below market value” and auction bidding failing to reach the guide price.

“The pub engaged with the community and changed management multiple times,” it went on. “The pub tried different attraction measures and different foods, as well as special offers etc, but customer response was not there.”

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It said: “The only possible function rooms the pub has to offer is the skittle alley; however, major refurbishment works would be required to make this viable.”

“There is no room on site to extend the pub without affecting the car park spaces.

“An application to convert and extend the site into a holiday let was refused in May 2024, along with an application to convert the buildings into residential accommodation, alongside the erection of two new dwellings within the car park.”

The application said the pub was now “completely derelict and has fallen into a state of disrepair”, with squatters previously taking over the property, while “all copper wiring and pipework has been stolen”.

Planners will now consider the viability statement and advise on whether the change of use be recommended for approval.

For more details, and to comment on the plans, see somerset.gov.uk and search reference 12/25/0009.

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