Wiltshire Council has refused plans for extensions and alterations to Hilperton pub The Lion and Fiddle to create four new letting rooms, plus two homes in the grounds, which could have led to the closure of its public bar.

The application, submitted last August last year, said that the owners had for some time “just about kept their heads above water” and that the business would be “orientated towards providing hotel accommodation only”, with nine rooms, guest sitting room, kitchen and dining room.

Hilperton Parish Council objected to the plans on several grounds, including the loss of the public house as an amenity, and Wiltshire councillor Ernie Clark called it in for a committee decision.