The Crown Inn at Clapton could soon be consigned to village history, with a planning application that has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the pub to be demolished, and six properties built in its place.

In a covering letter in planning documents, the current owners, who have been at the pub for the past ten years, state economic decline in the pub industry and the loss of large printing companies in the area meaning residents no longer have disposable income to spend and the pub is unable to survive.

They say that as public house values are so low, they cannot afford to sell it, but that the value of the property as a development site would mean that the pub would not be a boarded-up eyesore within the village.

Concerned about its potential closure, members of the public have been in touch with The Journal to express their concern.

One said: “The Crown is an asset to the village; there are frequent pool, skittles, darts and other teams, such as shove ha’penny, that meet there. Once it closes, it will be gone forever.”

Others have called the pub the focal point of the village and another is asking why more cannot be done to save it, as was done with The Redan in Chilcompton.

Those objecting are asking for a more family-friendly establishment with food, which could open during the day for local groups.

Some have also accepted that if there has to be housing, that there should be less, with the pub remaining.

Comments both for and against the application can be made on the Mendip District Council Planning portal under reference: 2018/0684/FUL

A decision is due on the planning application around the end of this month.