PLANS have been lodged with the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to increase the size of a country pub car park.

The application on behalf of West Meon Pub Limited, proposes a “reconfiguration” of the pub’s existing car park and expansion to provide additional parking.

The future of the West Meon pub has been unclear. Companies House records show that West Meon Pub Ltd was until March called Caffeine and Machine and has several of the same directors. Caffeine and Machine has operated a coffee shop chain. It has been contacted by the Chronicle.

It is unclear if it will become a cafe remain as a pub or be a hybrid. It is very close to Loomies cafe popular with motorcyclists, close to the crossroads of the A32 and A272.

The planning statement says: “The application proposes the reconfiguration of the existing car park and its expansion to provide additional car parking to serve the existing pub. The pub is a substantial building with a capacity for 140 covers inside and additional covers within the large garden. It is however currently served by only 16 spaces in the car park to the north of the building which is inadequate for a business of this size and in this location.

“It is therefore proposed that to increase the parking capacity of the site in a landscape sensitive way through the re-use of existing developed land to the east. The existing car park will be rearranged to provide 4 no. disabled spaces and will retain 6 no. spaces for customer use. An additional 5 no. spaces will be created on the eastern edge of this existing car park. To the east of the pub, 56 no. spaces will be laid out in two rows either side of an access road which will extend eastwards from the existing access point on the A272. There will therefore be a total of 71 no. spaces. An area for cycles and motorcycles will be provided to the north of the existing car park.”

READ MORE: Sneak peek ahead of pub’s re-opening following £1m transformation

The application states that the car park will be accessible from the A272, with a two-way system in place. Vehicles will be able to leave the car park through an “out-only” exit onto the A32.

 

 

The planning application can be viewed by visiting the South Downs National Park Authority planning website and searching for planning reference SDNP/23/02695/FUL.