Plans to convert last pub in village near Rushden into private housing would be ‘a significant loss’

Plans have been submitted to convert The New Inn in Rushden Road, Wymington, to a single private dwelling, ending its time as a pub dating back to the 19th century.

The New Inn was Wymington’s last pub. Since being advertised as for sale from December 2023 after closing at the end of that year, the nearest pubs are either in Podington in the south or Rushden to the north.

While marketed The New Inn attracted some attention, but a possible change of ownership never came to fruition after concerns such as the remote nature of the pub, concerns arising from the property not having traded recently and other factors, which ultimately led to the pub remaining vacant.

A planning document reads: “Following a lack of interest over a period of 16 months, the owners of the property sought and obtained approval for alterations to the first-floor accommodation and how it is accessed. The intention was to make the residential accommodation more attractive to prospective interested parties.

“The lack of interest is reflective of the challenges that public houses, particularly those in rural locations, face. Wymington is a quiet village location with limited footfall.”

Plans say the surrounding area is primarily residential in character, and that the more ‘traditional’ stone-faced parts of the building will be retained to preserve the character of the existing building.

The application, submitted on behalf of Red Rock London Ltd, says that there is ‘robust justification for the granting of planning permission based on the fact that the public house is simply no longer viable/feasible as a business within the community it serves.’

Plans submitted to Bedford Borough Council on October 21 are currently awaiting decision, though some residents have criticised the proposal, citing the loss of a community space, and asset to the village.

One comment reads: “I strongly believe that the loss of The New Inn would be a significant loss to Wymington and its surrounding community. A village pub is much more than simply a business selling food and drink. It provides an important social meeting place, brings people together and contributes to the identity, character and vitality of a village.

“Once converted into a private dwelling, the opportunity to retain or reopen this important community facility would be lost.

"The New Inn has historically provided a valuable meeting place for local residents and visitors. Village pubs play an important role in reducing social isolation, bringing different generations together and providing a place for people to meet and socialise.

“In a rural village such as Wymington, where alternative facilities may be limited, the loss of a pub is particularly significant. Residents should not have to travel to neighbouring towns and villages simply to enjoy what should be an accessible local facility.

“We should be looking to protect and support our village communities, not gradually remove the facilities that make them places where people want to live.”

The pub in Wymington, on the Bedfordshire border, has again been marketed since July 2026, but there has only been three inquiries, and no subsequent viewings.

Another adds: “The New Inn has been a pub since the early 1800s and is now the only one left in Wymington. The White Horse on the High Street was granted permission to change its use to a dwelling some years ago. If this application is also approved, the village will be left with no pub at all, and that loss will be permanent.

“As a family, we have regularly walked from Podington to Wymington for lunch at the New Inn. It served visitors from neighbouring villages as well as Wymington residents, and its loss would be felt beyond the village itself.”

A further comment reads: “This is the last pub in the village and should be saved based on policy.”

“It should be saved as this pub has a huge untapped catchment of the village and Rushden beyond if the right operator is found.”

The full application can be found online here, or by searching with the reference 26/02001/FUL on the Bedford Borough Council planning portal.