PLANS to convert The Tipputs Inn into a cafe, shop and bakery have been recommended for approval by Stroud District Council.

The recommendation has been made by officers ahead of tonight’s development control committee meeting.

A change of use application was submitted by Ruskin Mill College, which wants to purchase the property and use it for vocational training.

A campaign to save the Horsley pub was launched earlier this year when the plans first came to light.

Chris Stevens, chairman of the campaign group savetipputs, explained that The Tipputs has recently been registered as a Community Asset and members of the group are still working to find an alternative offer so the property can remain as a pub.

“We are not fighting Ruskin Mill as a business and we recognise that it has done a lot of good in the community,” said Mr Stevens.

“However this pub is very important to a lot of people in Horsley and we would like to see it remain as it is and we hope SDC’s planning committee will see its value for the community.”

Defending the plans, Nick Beardsley, from the Cotswold Food Club, who owns the pub, said: “We looked at the pub’s future possibilities, including maintaining the pub business, and a sale is the best long-term option for our community.

“Many former pubs have been developed for housing but Christophe and I are keen to see the Tipputs remain a positive asset for the community, and we believe a sale to Ruskin Mill will secure the building’s future.”

A spokeswoman for Ruskin Mill Trust said the Trust hoped its plans would be beneficial for the entire community and was anxiously waiting the committee's decision.