Agenda item
26/00774/LBC The Fox Inn, 27 Enstone Road
Minutes:
Rebekah Orriss, Senior Planner, presented the application for internal alterations to include the opening up of an existing doorway and works to the inglenook fireplace (retrospective). The application was for listed building consent. The Fox Inn was a Grade II listed building in the conservation area. The application was for works in the building and did not impact the conservation area. The inglenook fireplace was traditionally closed in however the surrounding sides had been removed and the doorway widened.
The Planner continued with the presentation which raised the following points:
- The building was Grade II listed, and the planning authority are statutorily required to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting;
- The NPPF stated that any harm or loss of the significance of a designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification;
- The inglenook fireplace was a focal point of the bar and the official listing referred to the fireplace;
- Both the conservation officer and Historic England, who are statutory consultees objected to the works carried out.
- The officers recognised the refurbishment and reopening of the pub as beneficial, the specific works carried out were not of public benefit.
- Officers considered that the works have not preserved the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building in accordance with the 1990 Act and the significant of the heritage assets have not been sustained in accordance with section 16 off the NPPF and the proposal was recommended for refusal.
Councillor Steve Ferrelly representing West Barton Parish, spoke in support of the application and raised the following points: the benefits of having a public house in the village; the revised internal layout created a better space for the customers opening up the connectivity of the bar and restaurant; the fireplace was still a main feature of the building and the alterations had not altered the character of the building.
Chris Flemming and Tony O’Sullivan spoke in support of the application and raised the following points: the alterations secured the long-term future of the pub and were community focused; the pub supported employment in the village and surrounding areas; there had been over 126 letters of support for the application as well as support from the Heritage Consultant.
The Chair invited the sub-committee to debate the application, and the following points were raised:
- Members asked for clarification on if the harm to the door could be regularised. The officer confirmed that the statutory consultees had considered that there was harm to the building however Historic England had suggested that the widening of the doorway could have been acceptable if it was amended to a lesser extent.
- The fireplace was still functioning, but the wood-burner had been removed. The original design of the Inglenook fireplace was enclosed on three sides however the back of the fireplace had been removed to open up to the snug room behind.
- The members highlighted the importance of protecting listed buildings such as public houses, however the importance of supporting public houses for the benefit of local communities. The planning officer clarified that the application was considered on whether the benefits outweighed the harms to the building.
- The members highlighted the number of previous occupiers of the public house who had not been able to make the business viable for various reasons and how it was not in the community’s capacity to purchase the public house and run it as a community. The members highlighted the amount of local support and how the current owner has engaged with the community to make the pub work as a business.
Councillor Steve Cosier proposed to approve the application against the officers’ recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Lyon and put to the vote.
Voting Record: For - 5 Against- 1 Abstention - 4
The Development Management Sub-Committee resolved to:
- Approve the application against the officers’ recommendations.
4.45pm The Chair stopped the meeting for a 5-minute comfort break.