Real ale group CAMRA has hit out at a brewery hoping to call last orders on a pub by turning it into housing.

Greene King is seeking planning permission to extend and convert the Rose & Crown in London Road, Sandy into a large house and build four new cottages.

The brewery says the pub has become unviable but the Campaign for Real Ale has accused the brewery of cashing in on the lucrative housing market.

CAMRA East Beds secretary, John Walsh, said: "This is Greene King trying to make a profit, that is the bottom line. They are trying to close a lot of pubs locally because they are worth a lot more as private houses. I shall be drafting a letter of opposition to it."

CAMRA figures estimate 26 pubs are closing in the UK a month.
Documents submitted by Greene King to planning authority Mid Beds District Council state there is a high demand for family housing in the area.

Greene King spokesman, Elaine Beckett, said: "The Rose & Crown is unviable as a pub and because of the financial position we are unable to put a licensee in there. It has been under temporary management for some time."

Sandy Town Council decided not to oppose the plans this week. Greene King said a closing date would not be made before the plans are determined by Mid Beds council.

See the October 13 edition of the Biggleswade Chronicle for the full story.