Closed Herefordshire pub is up for sale as an AirBnB

But an investigation is now underway after an alleged breach of planning regulations was reported at the pub, Herefordshire Council has confirmed.

The Lamb Inn in Stoke Prior, near Leominster, ceased trading in 2018.

The detached pub, which dates back to the 17th century, underwent a complete top-to-bottom renovation, retaining many of the original period features while all services were completely modernised and upgraded, agents Christie & Co said in an advert on Rightmove which has since been removed.

The pub is still listed as being for sale on Christie & Co's own website.

READ MORE: Herefordshire village pub owner defends plan to sell it as an AirBnB

The agents said the owners decided to use the "substantial amount of space and accommodation" as an income opportunity, creating a holiday letting business at the closed pub in September 2022.

The Lamb Inn in Stoke Prior in 2009 (Image: Google Maps)

The old pub, which now trades as an AirBnB and has been marketed as a holiday let through Sykes Cottages, has received bookings on a regular basis, the agents said in the now-removed advert.

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It is now on the market as the owners, who are former publicans, are retiring and downsizing due to ill health.

Christie & Co said the pub, which has five bedrooms and three bathrooms, with space to sleep 12, has a forecasted income of £80,000 per annum.

It is set in large grounds with parking on site and owners' accommodation over two levels, with scope to increase letting rooms, they said.

But a change-of-use planning application submitted in 2018 to turn the pub into a four-bedroom house was refused.

An appeal was also refused by a planning inspector, and it does not appear that any further change of use application has been made.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way into an alleged breach and we believe a retrospective application is currently being considered. If an application is received it will be publicised in the usual way and there will be an opportunity for representations to be made.”