AN HISTORIC pub in the Marshwood Vale has been put up for sale.

An application submitted earlier this year to change the use of the 700-year-old Shave Cross Inn has been withdrawn, and the property put on the market for £495,000.

Proprietors of the pub Mel and Roy Warburton had wanted to turn the building into a private dwelling.

But dozens of people, including West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, spoke out against the application when it was lodged with West Dorset District Council.

Upper Marshwood Vale parish councillors also refused to grant approval to the plans.

Residents welcomed the withdrawal of the de-licensing application.

Parish councillor Ali Cameron said: “It would be great to see it as a working, flourishing pub again.

“The reaction from the public when the application to de-license was put in was so strong and even Oliver Letwin, rather unusually, contributed his thoughts to the subject.”

He added: “It is a difficult time for pubs generally, but this is an important part of the Marshwood Vale because there are a lot of smaller businesses around whose customers rely on the Shave Cross Inn to get an evening meal.”

Details released by business transfer agents Stonesmith state that the pub is being sold due to ill health.