An inspector allowed proposals to remodel a London pub and convert the upper floors and an outbuilding into five self-contained residential units.
The scheme proposed to retain the Class A4 public house use on the ground floor and basement; create a new beer garden; convert the storage outbuilding to a self-contained dwelling with its own outdoor space and convert the upper floors from an HMO accessed from the pub bar area into four one bed flats with a separate residential entrance.
Local objections and the council’s concerns focused on the viability of the remaining pub. The inspector acknowledged that the internal ground floor area of the public house would be reduced by approximately 26 per cent and a kitchen removed, but found no evidence that the pub would not be viable as a consequence. He noted that the current mix of facilities on offer would be retained, including a pool table, darts board and stage, and the attributes of a community pub would still be there.
Finding no conflict with local plan policy seeking to protect a public house which displays the characteristics of a community pub, he allowed the appeal.
Inspector: Paul Wookey; Written representations
Article Image & Source: Planning Resource
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