The owners of a Letchmore Heath pub which is listed as a community asset are planning to expand and build a new four bedroom house, after no one came forward to buy it before the deadline.

The Three Horseshoes, in The Green, was listed as an asset of community value last May, meaning that the owners of the pub, who intended to sell the property, were unable to do so before December 10.

Until that time a charity, community interest company, or non-profit making company or society had the chance to make a bid for the 400-year-old building.


Pub owners, Carol Thornton and Garry Dunks, said that due to a lack of interest and funds no bids were offered.

Miss Thornton said: "The deadline has been and gone for bids to be placed and we did not receive any.

"We are not selling the pub, and have put in an application to build a new house to make the pub more viable in the future.

"This would provide a lot of opportunities including possibly opening a bed and breakfast, or accommodation for the pub’s managers."

The plan submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council would involve building a four bedroom house on a plot where there was previously a house until the 1970s.

The layout of the proposed house has not been confirmed and will be decided upon at the time of the planning application as per the reserved matters.

The ground floor would consist of a living room, toilet, kitchen and dining room.

The first floor will consist of four bedrooms and a family bathroom with en-suite bathroom from the master bedroom.

Peter Evans, Aldenham Parish Council Manager, said: "The council will be very disappointed to hear this news.

"It is fully behind the communities bid to keep this as a local facility, which is why it asked Hertsmere Borough Council to list it as a community asset.

"I understand that this listing will last for five years and maybe there is still hope that a reasonable solution can be made.

"A planning application was recently made on part of the land, which Aldenham Parish Council strongly objected to."

The pub is the only community facility in the village and was listed as an asset of community value by Hertsmere Borough Council, following a nomination from Aldenham Parish Council.

The proposed plans for the new house have received 12 objections to date.