New twist in saga of Low Marishes pub sale (From York Press)

New twist in saga of The School House Inn sale

12:10pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News

THE controversial saga regarding the future of The School House Inn at Low Marishes took a new twist last week when it failed to be sold at auction.

Now, the owners Matthew and Sarah Richardson are deciding what their next step will be over the future of the pub that has been at the centre of a long-running dispute.

The couple finally won their battle to carry out some alterations when a Government planning inspector backed their appeal last October after their latest plans had been turned down again by Ryedale District Council.

The planning committee then agreed to a change of use and alteration of the pub to a three-bedroom home with the remainder of the building to be retained as a pub with first-floor living accommodation.

The plans also included external and internal alterations, the erection of a garden dining room and the change of use and alteration of adjacent buildings for a pub kitchen and five holiday letting rooms.

Following that decision, the couple decided to put the pub, plus a first-floor flat and adjacent holiday letting rooms, up for sale.

An open viewing of the complex was held in November and formal tenders had to be submitted by the end of that month.

Last week it went for auction but failed to reach its reserve price.