We are asking Wiltshire Council to continue to refuse any change of use for the Forester and to support the community’s plan to reopen it as a pub

Our village pub was put up for sale in 2024 and closed in early 2025. Since then in July 2025, the current owners applied  to Wiltshire Council for permission to convert the pub into a residence. 

The community have rallied to save the pub, setting up the Donheads' Community Benefit Society.  We succeeded in having the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value and, with over 300 supporters for our campaign, we have received pledges of some £600,000 in order to buy and renovate the pub. 

We have had the pub independently valued by professional chartered surveyors and had a full structural survey to assess works necessary to refurbish and reopen the Forester.  We have made a formal offer to purchase the pub, but with no agreement as yet and the pub remains closed.  We understand that the owners may lodge an appeal against the planning decision.  

This petition is to galvanise further support from the community to show how determined we are to keep and reopen our pub, either under community ownership or as a commercial enterprise, and it will be used as evidence of our commitment in any Planning Appeal.  Please sign here to add your support.