PLANNERS rejected controversial plans which would have seen a former village pub demolished and the site redeveloped, writes Gareth Newnham.

Plans by Richard Acton proposed the Woodman Inn in Upham, be knocked down to make way for four homes.

The scheme included three two-bedroom houses, and one four-bed home on Winchester Road.

Despite seeking pre-application advice from the city council planning department, officers failed to recognise that The Woodman was a non-designated heritage asset, and although not in a suitable state to be listed, is deemed of significant ‘cultural value’ and importance to the street scene that any planning application would have to retain the building.

At the planning committee Cllr Ian Tait quizzed council officers asking whether this was picked up during the pre-application process.

“What has gone wrong in our process here that the pre-application advice has not worked on this occasion,” he said.

Head of development management Julie Pinnock said: “We have to take it on the chin that we didn’t spot it at the pre-application stage. But it is a non-designated heritage asset and we have to proceed on that basis.”

The plans received 11 letters of support from residents, keen to see the site which is in a poor state of repair redeveloped.

However, Upham parish council chairman David Ashe, who spoke against the plans, argued that the Woodman was essential to the distinctive character of the village and that although residents were keen for the site to be improved, most would prefer the building be retained in some form.

“I would like the developers to give serious thought to including a shop. It’s the grit in the oyster that makes an interesting scheme,” he added.

Such calls were echoed by the Upham Shop Action Group who have been lobbying for a new shop after the Lower Upham Village Stores and Post Office closed three years ago.

The group, with the backing of the Plunkett Foundation, planned to purchase the old shop and run it as a community venture. However, their plans stalled because they were not able to purchase the shop without the attached house.

Glyn Holshore, speaking on behalf of the group, said: “People in the village are keen for something to be done because the pub has become an eyesore. However, it would be a pity to not grasp the chance to open the shop and create a new community hub.

“Villages without a shop lose their heart and are in danger of becoming dormitories.”

Savills associate director of planning, Bryony Stala, speaking for the applicant, said that no heritage matters had been raised during the pre-application process and that a detailed assessment of the site had been conducted in support of their proposal,.

“Any more modifications to The Woodman structure could reduce its stability further. Bringing to question whether it is worth retaining at all,” she said.

“We carried out extensive marketing of the pub and there was little to no interest in it continuing to have a commercial use.”

Councillor Therese Evans said: “ I think it’s unfortunate that it’s in such a bad state, so I can understand residents want to stop the deterioration of the site but I support residents and and parish council who want it saved.

“I would welcome a redesign to keep the heritage aspect.”

Cllr Kim Gottlieb said: “I have every sympathy with the developers but they need to come up with something viable, and on balance it is a better solution to retain the building.”

The planning committee voted eight to one to reject the plan.