VILLAGE campaigners looking to revive their local pub are celebrating a reprieve after an application to turn Cradley's historic Crown Inn into houses was withdrawn.

The Grade-II listed building, has been closed for a decade because owner Dave Woodward has not wanted it to open for business.

The pub, which was once a regular venue for rock legends Black Sabbath, was due to be demolished and replaced with three private homes if planning permission was granted to Mr Woodward.

But the Cradley Crown Crusaders, backed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), compiled a 10-page report for Herefordshire Council's planning committee that effectively blocked the move.

"We are extremely pleased with the result," said campaigner Sally Ramsden. "One of the conditions the council looked at was whether the pub was still a viable financial option and I think our support proved it would be."

The withdrawal of the planning application also came in the light of a petition - with almost 800 signatures - and 200 objection letters which were sent to the council.

Residents said this week's victory was the first step.

"Our objective is to have a village pub again and this is really a very small step," said Mrs Ramsden. "There is still a long way to go to get the pub open."

Villagers had offered to help renovate the Elizabethan building for free but enlisted the aid of CAMRA when campaigners heard of Mr Woodward's redevelopment plans in December.

"We hope that he'll enter into dialogue with the local people now," said Mark Haslam, of Herefordshire CAMRA. "And we are willing and able to assist the owner in marketing the Crown Inn as a pub."

Residents were concerned that the permanent removal of the Crown would have a serious impact on the village, especially affecting the single, the elderly and those unable to drive.

With Mr Woodward reluctant to re-open the inn, which has a trading history going back 300 years, villagers now hope it will be up for sale as a pub on the commercial market.

Mr Woodward was unavailable for comment as the Evening News went to press.