AN historic pub could be demolished and the site used for houses and a shop.

The Fat Goose in Tendring closed just before Christmas but now there are plans to replace it with three four-bedroom houses and a shop.

However, a spokesman for Camra said the campaign group may try to save the pub as a community asset.

The pub, which dates back to 1760, was sold last year for £475,000.

Now plans have been submitted to Tendring Council to demolish it.

Planning agent Paul Seagar said: “The Fat Goose failed for a number of years.

“Various people have tried to make it work. It’s location hasn’t helped. It’s stuck out there, out of the way.

“It wasn’t just a pub. It functioned as a restaurant as well because it couldn’t work as a pub.”

Southend-based Mr Seagar, of APS Design Associates, said efforts had been made to sell it as a going concern but to no avail.

He said the building was now in a poor state which would need considerable investment."

The agent said in pre-application discussions with Tendring Council, the idea of a community facility was mooted, leading to the proposal of creating a convenience store.

Gazette:

Masterplan - the new homes and shop

He added: “The idea is we develop the rest of the site for housing.

“The last property would be accommodation for people living over the convenience store.

“This would give a valuable asset to the community. There’s not many convenience stores around.

“It’s on a main road. It could be successful.

That’s how we have approached it.”

However, Ed Loach, pub campaigns director of Tendring Camra, said his group would look to see if the pub could become an asset of community value.

He said: “It was a fine pub and restaurant that sold local beers.”

Ward councillor Alan Coley said he would raise the application with Tendring Parish Council and added: “It would be a a shame if the Fat Goose couldn’t maintain itself as a going concern concern.

“It was a proper restaurant many people went to. It was well patronised by local people. We were shocked when it closed. I would hope it will open as a pub or restaurant.”

Carlo Guglielmi, a fellow ward councillor and deputy leader of Tendring Council, said the pub had been empty for some time.

He said: “The application will have to demonstrate to the planners they have undertook a meaningful marketing campaign that has been exhausted.”

Mr Guglielmi added he would advise Tendring Parish Council a shop could be an asset to the village.