The future of a rural Somerset pub remains in the balance nearly four years on from a devastating fire.

The Merry Harriers pub provided food and drink from Forches Corner in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a short distance from Wellington and the Devon border.

The pub was damaged by a fire in July 2016 and a further blaze in December the same year – with police and fire officials believing the latter to have been an arson attack.

Planning permission to rebuild the pub was granted by Taunton Deane Borough Council in November 2017.

But nearly three years on, the site remains in ruins and is fenced off to the public following reports of fly-tipping.

Cllr Roger Habgood, whose Monument ward includes the site, said he was hopeful a new pub would be built there to serve the nearby villages of Clayhidon, Culmhead and Ford Street, along with passing trade over the hills.

He said: “The locals have expressed their regret to me over the loss of the pub. There is, however, some cynicism regarding planning permission and planning history on the site.”

The existing planning permission will expire in November if no work has commenced on site by that point – meaning any developer or new landlord would have to apply to Somerset West and Taunton Council for fresh permission.

Mr Habgood, who serves on the council’s planning committee, said he was open-minded about proposals for the site and would welcome anything that would help the local economy recover from Covid-19.

He said: “Covid is having an effect on our local economy. Thanks to the central government funding, that effect has been lessened in certain areas.

“I am on the planning committee and I have an open mind to any application coming forward on this site.”

Daniel Mumby

Local democracy reporter