CAMPAIGNERS desperately trying to save a 500-year-old village pub have said it is “now or never” as they try to raise cash to buy it.

The Grade-II listed Swan pub in Ley Hill - which is believed to be one of the oldest in Bucks - is under threat from development and has been since 2018.

Back then, plans submitted to try and turn the Blackwell Hall Lane pub into a children’s nursery sparked fury from residents, walkers and cyclists who frequently visited the important community space.

Those plans were later rejected, but fresh proposals want to instead turn it into two homes.

These too have prompted backlash from the community and residents have formed the Save our Swan (SOS) group, who are actively trying to keep it as a pub.

The pub has been listed as an asset of community value, which argues that losing it would leave the community without a valuable facility.

The SOS group had previously managed to identify a cash buyer nearly two years ago but that did not go ahead.

The group is now trying to source potential investors who would buy shares in the pub so they can try to buy it as a going concern with a tenant running the business.

So far, SOS has managed to raise more than £300,000 - but at least £500,000 is still needed.

SOS has a survey running to identify interest from potential investors - go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GM9BTSG to take part.

Meanwhile, dozens of objections to the latest plans to turn the historic pub into homes have been submitted.

Dr Jim Conboy, chairman of The Chesham Society, said the pub plays an “important role in staging the Ley Hill music festival” and compliments the pub next door, The Crown.

Latimer and Ley Hill Parish Council have also “strongly” objected to the plans, saying the design is “poor” and the pub has offered a lot to the community in the past.

The Chiltern Society said the pub has a “very important role in the history of the village and local community”.

They added: “We understand that a local community group is being formed with a view to making an offer for the pub.

“This, in our view is by far the best way to preserve the building for future generations.

“Unlike the proposal before the committee, this would give access to the historic interior as well as to the exterior of the building.”

If the plans are given the go ahead, the pub will have a small rear extension, a new staircase built and new rooflights. Initial plans to put partitions in the ground floor have been removed.