VILLAGERS should learn whether a boarded-up pub is to be turned into a shop and takeaway within six weeks’ time.

Durham County Council denied Shauket Ali Baz planning permission to convert the former Queen’s Head pub, on North View, in Ludworth, near Durham, last November.

But Mr Baz took the decision to a planning appeal at Durham Town Hall on Tuesday.

Planning inspector Malcolm Rivett, who could overturn or confirm the council’s decision, said he would publish his verdict in a month to six weeks.

The Queen’s Head has been empty since about July 2007 and boarded up since autumn 2007.

When Mr Baz bought the pub, villagers were hopeful it would be re-opened, the hearing was told.

However, it was put up for auction in November 2008 and January 2009 - without selling - and remains vacant.

Mr Baz applied for permission to change it into a shop and hot food takeaway in September last year.

Villagers are worried about the loss of what they say is a community facility and a takeaway’s impact on the character and appearance of the area and the lives of people nearby.

Ludworth Community Partnership has held talks about running the pub, the hearing was told, but the idea is in the early stages.

County councillor Carol Woods said: "If somebody wanted to run this as a pub, a good business person would be able to make money on it.

"I don’t think you would find anyone who would want a takeaway next door to them. It would be detrimental to have this in the middle of a rural village."

Anton Lang, representing Mr Baz, said the pub was not financially viable but the proposed shop and takeaway would be community facilities.

Of 29 viewings by potential buyers - and subsequently 14 offers, one as low as £15,000 - only two parties had been interested in the property as a pub and their interest quickly faded, he said.

Further, although the community had been consulted many times, there had been no previous mention of the community taking over the pub, Dr Lang added.

"I think this might be something of a talking shop," he said.

The pub could be wholly converted to a shop without further planning permission.