Plans for a former Meon Valley country pub to become a tearoom have been withdrawn. 

Scott and Kerry Wakefield wanted to convert The Travellers Rest in Church Road, Newtown, near Wickham, into a tearoom.

The pub closed at the start of the Covid pandemic.

Winchester City Council planning officers had recommended it be refused at the planning committee on Tuesday, December 12. 

However on Thursday, December 7 it was withdrawn. 

In the officers' report, it said: “The development is recommended for refusal as it is considered that the change of use from public house to tea room has no significant justification for the loss of the community facility which has not been justified. In addition, the proposal would result in the formation of a new residential development within the countryside which is contrary to countryside policies.”

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Hampshire Chronicle: The Travellers Rest

The proposal had split opinion, with 17 supporting comments and 16 objections. 

Bryan Smith, of Church Road, said: “The Travellers Rest public house was closed because of the Covid pandemic and the owners saw an opportunity not to open again. They did not offer any support to the local community during the pandemic, unlike other pubs in the area.

“If the pub is not financially viable, how will a 24 seat tea room be a better proposition? A tea room could easily be incorporated into the existing public house and would offer another income stream alongside the pub.

“Please be amazing and save our pub from disappearing forever.”

Sam Butler, of The Thicket, Portchester, said: “I frequently work in the area and pass through Church Road, it would be great to have somewhere to grab a coffee and a bite to eat and be on my way.

“At least at the Travellers there is room for parking whilst you visit and no need to be faffing with parking meters in other locations I visit.”

In the application's planning statement, it said: “The proposal is to utilise the otherwise defunct building by creating a new tea room and the continued use of the remainder of the building as residential accommodation for the owner. The proposed business use will assist in the funding of the maintenance of the ageing structure. The internal layout and external look of the building lends itself without any structural alteration to the proposed new uses.”