Residents have objected to plans that would see the only pub in an Oxfordshire village turned into a residential home.

The landlord of the Blowing Stone Inn in Kingston Lisle has applied to Vale of White Horse District Council to convert the nearly 100-year-old pub.

The proposals would make minimal alterations to the building’s exterior but would knock down some existing outbuildings and build a garage.

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The landlord - who has run the pub since September 2020 - refused to comment when contacted by the Oxford Mail.

A viability report concluded that poor economic conditions meant the pub was no longer viable and that there was “no appetite in the market” from any potential buyers.

But residents of the village near Wantage - which has a population of just over 200 people - do not want to lose the pub.

Charlie Trietline said it would result in the loss of an “important and valued community facility.”

He said: “Kingston Lisle has had a pub for over 200 years.

"It has been the thriving heart of our village and should be considered both a community asset and part of the very fabric of Kingston Lisle.”

Mr Trietline said the current landlord had “struggled to make a success” of the business and blamed poor food and customer service.

He said: “It is for these reasons that the very frustrated local community are travelling to neighbouring village pubs to socialise etc and that the Blowing Stone Inn is suffering increasingly low patronage.”

Vanessa Marment said: “In the 20 years we have lived in Kingston Lisle, The Blowing Stone has been a vital amenity at the heart of the village and community.

She added: “The Blowing Stone is the only pub in Kingston Lisle and it is essential for our community. There isn’t an alternative comparable venue.

“Yes, we have a village hall, but that cannot be compared with a warm, welcoming and well run pub.”

Elizabeth Graham said: “I’ve lived in the village since 1995, through many changes of landlord at the pub. The village has no shop and no bus service.

“We need some remaining social hub to come together as a community.”

Gill White said: “I have a lot of sympathy with the landlord. He took the pub on at a terrible time for the industry, and he has been left running the pub on his own which I don’t think was ever his intention.

“However, the pub is a valuable community asset, with at least 150 years of history and I don't think we should lose it permanently just because this landlord no longer wishes to run it.”