Pub submits plan to safeguard its future
‘Small-scale’ development is proposed for White Horse
PLANS have been submitted to safeguard the long-term future of a West Berkshire pub.
The owner of The White Horse in Hermitage has put in a planning application for a ‘small scale residential development’ to the rear of the public house.
The application states that “the pub needs extensive refurbishment and improvements to be able to provide the facilities expected by customers and to operate profitably”.
The pub was previously owned by Greene King, but had been struggling to successfully operate for several years before it decided it was no longer viable to keep it.
However, the application states: “The current owners are committed to securing the longterm future of the pub and, therefore, a small-scale residential development to the rear of the property provides an opportunity to support the continued use and planned improvements.”
The pub is situated on the B4009 (Newbury Road), within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and has a large rear beer garden and 10 parking spaces.
It is proposed that this parking area is reconfigured to accommodate the new houses.
The owners of the pub ran the proposal past West Berkshire Council’s planning department in May 2020, prior to submitting the application, to get some feedback on the plans.
However, the planning officer expressed concerns that, in his view, “the introduction of new residential development would prejudice the future development of The White Horse”.
Documents submitted with the application state: “It was his view that this land could be used to provide outbuildings for uses related to the pub – such as a function room(s), letting accommodation, staff accommodation etc”.
But the applicants claim that this would not provide a return on the ‘substantial investment’ required and have now submitted a viability assessment with the application to back it up.
You can view the application in full, and comment on it, by visiting the planning section of West Berkshire Council’s website and typing in the reference number 21/00043/FULD.
The land to the west of The White Horse is currently under development and will eventually be a Co-op store with four apartments above the retail unit and four dwellings to the rear.