LAST orders have not yet been called at a Chesham pub after plans to turn it into a shop and flats were emphatically rejected.

The Nash Arms in Vale Road was under threat for a second time after owners Bramwood Taverns submitted proposals to convert the bar into a shop and change the first floor into housing.

But members of Chiltern District Council's planning committee unanimously turned down the plans after hearing business at the pub is thriving.

And one member, Cllr Michael Prince, took a swipe at the owners by calling them "a minor brewer trying to make a quick buck".

Previous plans to demolish the pub - which is currently on the market for £550,000 - and replace it with five houses were rejected by the council last year.

A report by planning officers put forward five reasons for refusal, which was increased to six after the county highways authority raised further concerns.

Planning officer Alex Hales said 18 letters of objection had been received from residents and added there was no need for a new shop to be built as there were currently 14 empty retail units in the town centre.

Resident Alex Maddern told the committee at Thursday night's meeting: "The pub is still a thriving business and seems busier. We can't see how a change in use can be justified."

She added there were no objections to converting the first floor into flats and any future planning application should "provide a nicely refurbished bar and pub garden downstairs - that, I think, might be unopposed".

Her words were heeded by committee members, as Cllr Noel Brown said: "This is actually a pub that's working - to have that under threat is something really quite dangerous."

Cllr Alison Pirouet added: "This is a well-loved pub and has the community behind it. It needs to be kept. It's a people's pub for the people."