Proposals have been put forward to convert a Suffolk village’s only pub into a home.

A change of use application has been made to Suffolk Coastal District Council (SCDC) by architecture and town planning company england atp on behalf of Roger Harrison to turn the Cratfield Poacher into a home.

In the planning statement, by consultant to england atp Paul England, it says that pub’s trade level since the year ending 2009 at a turnover of £78,239 with a taxable profit of -£545 has fallen to a turnover of £67,186 year ending March 2014 producing a loss of £3,967.

The pub is still up for sale with Halesworth-based Fennel Chartered Surveyors, but the planning statement adds: “The decision has been made to cease trading and sell. Financial survival is only achievable by stopping unprofitable trading and closing off the pub.”

The statement adds that the pub would easily convert back into a residential property, which it last was in 1979.

The pub was entered into the CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide in 2012. Of the 14 comments on SCDC’s planning pages, only one supports the change of use. The comment says: “Whilst having many attributes, this pub is not generally supported by the local community to the extent that it must almost be loss-making (and would be if it were not for travellers from further afield). It is not therefore a community asset.

“I will regret its passing, if this application is approved, but totally understand the reason.”

One objector said: “To lose another Waveney valley village pub (an institution) that we have all taken pleasure from over the years would be a tragedy.”

Yesterday, no one from the pub was available to comment on the application.