Over a hundred Frieth residents flocked to the village hall last week to give their feedback on fresh development plans for a disused community pub.

In what landlord, Carlos Maidana, is calling a ‘major step forward’ for the scheme, around 130 villagers turned up to view the new set of proposals for The Yew Tree and its surroundings on Thursday, February 11.

As well as the development of the pub itself, the plans propose construction of four cottages, increasing the size of the current orchard and reducing the village speed limit to 20mph.

In 2014 the once thriving pub – which has served the village for 160 years – was rescued from the hands of developers after the community launched a ‘Save Our Pub’ campaign.

However the council have since rejected plans to develop the site on the grounds it does not fit in with the local vision.

So Marlow based Heighway Associates paired up with Mr Maidana in an attempt to achieve what other have failed to do and convince the council scheme meets the needs of the community.

Mr Maidana – who turned around the Grouse and Ale in Lane End in the face of its closure – said he was ‘delighted’ at how residents had reacted positively to the new plans.

He said: “We have taken some major steps. People were really receptive to the ideas as we have introduced a nature trail and allotments which went down very well.

“The community is engaging with us. To get 135 people turn up was great and others who didn’t come went online and looked at the plans and answered the surveys which is why we are still looking at things.”

The options of a larder store stocked with local produce and the provision of bike racks along with a pit stop point for runners are also being explored.

Mr Maidana continued: “We have not quite finished analysing the surveys because we have had a few more come in by email.

“A lot of people are in favour of the pub and shop and what we are trying to do with the four cottages.

“That is where we need to get the backing of the parish and then we can go to the planning.”