THE LOSS of a former pub will not impact the Marlow community if it is turned into housing, according to council experts.

The former Hare and Hounds pub on Henley Road could be turned into a five bedroom house under plans submitted to Wycombe District Council this month.

And the council department responsible for community facilities registered no objection to the proposal, claiming the permanent closure of the business would not be detrimental to the area.

In the Leisure And Community Services official response to the application, the department's Jackie Pinney said: "Community Services have no specific comments to make on this application.

"The Hare and Hounds is not currently operating as a public house and its conversion into residential will not create any shortfall in community facilities in the area."

The Hare and Hounds has changed hands several hands in the last few years, most famously with the winners of Raymond Blanc’s TV series ‘The Restaurant’ taking over in 2008.

But with this venture closing after only a year, the pub was run by three different landlords in its final four years and its last stint as a pub ended in 2013.

The 16th century inn was then sold by owner Enterprise Inns late last year.

Located half a mile from the centre of Marlow, the pub’s out of town setting was heavily blamed for its repeated closure.

English Heritage recently awarded the building Grade II listed status, and it is currently operating as a continental-style bakehouse which opened its doors last month.

Deidre Wells from Red Kite Development Consultancy, the agent for the project, said the tenancy was an interim measure for her client Hamden Homes while the housing plan was put into action.

WDC is expected to rule on the plans by May.