One year on from mysterious closure of pub, demolition plans are announced

Plus: Man jailed after horrific attack on partner and dog

Good morning and welcome to your Monday briefing from Ashfield News. In today’s newsletter, a pub could be demolished a year on from closure, a duck family is rescued from a chimney and much more.

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Pub could be torn down and turned into homes

A village pub could be torn down to make way for new affordable homes, new plans for the site show.

The Peacock in Main Street, Huthwaite, has been empty for a number of months after it closed with little notice in May last year.

Now, an application drawn up by architects Halsall Lloyd Partnership proposes demolishing the derelict venue and creating 23 one-bedroom flats.

Developers argue the scheme will breathe new life into the village centre, offering modern homes with secure cycle storage, on-site parking, and a landscaped setting.

The project would retain the existing vehicle access via Boots Yard and improve pedestrian routes around the site, the proposals show.

"The Peacock Hotel has been closed for over a year and the building is no longer viable for commercial use," the application states. "This proposal provides a valuable opportunity to regenerate the site with quality housing that meets local needs."

If approved, the two-storey development will feature red brick and rendered façades.

Ashfield District Council is now considering the application, with a decision expected by September 18, 2025.

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Major Oak gets helping hand in Sherwood Forest heatwave

As the summer heatwave grips the region, Sherwood Forest’s most famous resident is feeling the pressure.

The Major Oak, believed to be around 1,000-years-old, is receiving extra care to help it through the soaring temperatures.

Forest teams, alerted by monitoring technology installed at the site, have stepped in to give the ancient tree a much-needed boost.