The owner of the Carpenters Arms pub in Coates has objected to it being nominated as an asset of community value.

The pub, on North Green, was nominated by Peterborough CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in June to be registered under the council’s asset list for the next five years because, according to CAMRA, it has special value to local heritage and culture which should be protected.”

However, owner Ann Baxter lodged an appeal to Fenland District Council via email on the morning August 11 – the same day that a Cabinet meeting took place to decide whether it would be listed.

Mrs Baxter’s appeal was not read before the meeting, and the decision to award the Carpenters Arms asset of community value (ACV) status was granted.

The appeal said: “The pub was in need of a lot of work all around as it had previously been run down for many years.

“We mainly run on family and friends, a handful of local regulars and a small amount of passing trade which allows us to continue trading.

“It is a sad fact that even a quarter of the village use the pub, despite us trying to attract the locals in.

“As much as I love my pub, I do not see how it can be classed as an asset of community value.”

The Cabinet will now decide whether to go ahead with granting the pub ACV status or reconsidering the application on October 20.

If the Carpenters Arms does become an ACV, Mrs Baxter would no longer have free reign over the future of the pub, and would have to inform Fenland District Council of any intention to sell it.