The Facebook group “Keep the Fox and Hounds as a community pub” boasts 689 members, highlighting the strong community sentiment against the proposal. Currently, there are 123 individual objections, a group objection with 169 names, and a petition accumulating 560 signatures.
Local residents argue that the Fox and Hounds, with a rich history purportedly dating back to Tudor times, served as a vital community hub for nearly 4,000 people until it closed at the beginning of the year. Supporters contend that its conversion would not only strip away a cherished asset but also hinder economic growth and social interaction in the village, especially given the poor public transport options limiting access to nearby pubs.
Advocates, including potential buyers from the Valiant Pub Company, emphasise the pub’s commercial viability, asserting that it has thrived in the past and could do so again with the right management. The planning application raises broader concerns about the ongoing loss of public houses across Wales— a trend seen as detrimental to local communities.
The outcome of the application is yet to be determined, and objectors are eager for updates on its progression and the opportunity to voice their concerns in committee.
The current landlord closed early in the year after business was allegedly failing to meet the rising cost of running the public house. Alleged lack of support from locals and rising costs were at the forefront of the landlord’s justification to close the pub.
Carmarthenshire News Online reached out to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for a comment. A council spokesperson said:
“The Council received a planning application for this proposed private development during July 2024 – to change the building’s use from a public house to two dwellings, and to build a third dwelling on the current car park area.
“The statutory consultation period started at the end of July 2024 and is ongoing. This process will enable officers to understand local residents’ viewpoints for consideration. All related documents are available on the Council’s website.
“As with the normal process, once the consultation period closes the application will be scheduled at a future meeting of the Planning and Development Committee for determination – with a recommendation to either approve or reject the application being provided by officers.”
