Controversial plans to turn an award-winning village pub into a house have been refused. 

An application to turn The Three Horseshoes, in Horseshoe Road, into a five-bed detached house was submitted in December last year, but the move received fierce criticism from residents. 

Over 70 objection letters, including one written on the behalf of the Parish Council, were sent to Wycombe District Council and residents mounted a successful campaign to turn the pub into a community asset to prevent the building from being sold.

The popular village pub has won awards for its standard of food and was included in a list of 50 great pubs in England and Wales.

In the letter of refusal, posted on May 6, Penelope Tollitt, Head of Planning at Wycombe District Council, said: "It is considered that it has not been adequately shown that the loss of the public house would not have a detrimental impact on the amenities of the local community." 

The applicants now have six months to appeal against the decision to the Secretary of State.