The Roebuck Inn, on Lewes Road, Laughton, an establishment dating back to the 15th century, has applied to convert its function room into a farm shop.
The proposal outlines that the room, previously used for events, would be transformed into “a more commercially usable space, [a] farm shop.”
An application explained the pub’s struggle to make its function room financially viable due to low attendance, despite numerous attempts with “themed nights.”
They said: “The change of use to a farm shop will create more employment in the area, supplying locally sourced foods, benefiting local businesses as well as the local community.”
They also argue that the extra revenue would support the pub’s sustainability.
However, the proposal has led to differing views amongst the local community, with concerns raised about the potential impact on the existing Laughton Village Shop.
The plans attracted 15 objections and 10 letters of support.
Objectors have voiced concerns about the lack of detail in the planning application, fearing it could pose competition to the already established village shop.
Sarah Bennett, one of the objectors, wrote: “So few details have been included in the proposal.
“There are no restrictions, so the owners can do what they wish under ‘Farm Shop’.
“In my opinion, the owners need to be working alongside the fully established and very efficient Laughton Village Shop, which is a precious and excellent resource to the community.”
On the other side of the debate, some locals support the idea of a new farm shop, believing it would aid the rural economy and offer a platform for locally sourced produce.
W&A Appleton Ltd, a local dairy farm, expressed its support for the plans.
It wrote: “We strongly believe that this proposal represents a positive and sustainable development for the village and the wider rural economy.
“The proposed business would provide a valuable outlet for local produce, including meat and dairy products, helping to keep food miles low and ensuring greater transparency in how food is produced.”
The planning application can be found on the Wealden District Council’s planning portal under the reference WD/2025/2706/F.
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