A community leader has urged the Ministry of Defence to be "upfront" and "do it properly" following their acquisition of a historic west Suffolk village pub.

Brewery giant Greene King announced the closure of The Bird in Hand in The Street, Beck Row, in June this year. 

It has since been revealed that the property, which is just a stone's throw from the RAF Mildenhall airbase, has been purchased by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Last month an MoD spokesperson said there are currently no firm plans for its future use. 

Don Waldron, who represents The Rows on West Suffolk Council, is now calling for the MoD to apply for "proper" planning permission if and when they do want to make changes. 

"The MoD is allowed to do whatever it likes within the original boundaries of the airbase," he said.

"This is an island that is being attached. Whatever they want to do there they have to apply for planning permission and that is the bottom line.

"We don't want 'we're the Ministry of Defence, we'll do what we want'. We want everything upfront.

"When they start buying bits and pieces, lets have it upfront with proper planning consultation. Lets do it properly." 

He explained that, from his point of view, the "ideal" outcome following the closure would have been to turn the site, which also includes a motel area with dozens of rooms, into old people's homes. 

"They have just celebrated 90 years of the airbase - I think you'll find that pub was the same age," he added.

An RAF Mildenhall statement from October 10 reads: "RAF Mildenhall has a historic past filled with strong links to the local community and businesses. One of these ties is to the Bird in Hand pub, which has welcomed airmen and families across generations.

"Savills, the agents acting for Greene King, listed a portion of land adjacent to RAF Mildenhall for sale. When the Ministry of Defence became aware of this, they sought to purchase the land, to bolster Royal Air Force Mildenhall base defence, gain additional space to accommodate security measures, and create more space around this entry and exit gate.

"There will be no firm plans on any future development until a full survey and assessment of the property and land is undertaken. However, the addition of fencing around the area will increase security, as it will support shared security interests at the exit to RAF Mildenhall."