Agenda item

Officer Introduction:

MC described the application as above It is at Planning Committee because the Parish Council objects to the porch as  inappropriate and obtrusive, but following some amendments, it is supported by the Conservation Officer, and therefore comes with a recommendation to permit.

Public Speaking:

There was none.

Member debate:

PT:  understood that the Parish Council had withdrawn its objection to the porch.

AC:  is in favour of the application overall, but cannot see the point of the porch.  It will detract from the signage.  Is surprised the Conservation Officer supports it, and remains dubious about that part of the scheme.

BF:  is also amazed by the porch.  Notes that the Parish Council has objected, yet there is an email of support from Councillor Payne included in the report – is this written as ward councillor, member of the public, or Chair of the Parish Council?  Doesn’t agree with the reasons for the porch.  This is the oldest building in The Burgage, Grade II listed, and not designed to have a porch.  It isn’t a show-stopper, but it detracts from the look of the pub.  Other pubs have porches, but these aren’t in the conservation area.

DS:  this proposal is a good example of working in collaboration before the application gets to Committee.  Most of the work proposed will be carried out sympathetically, and notes reservations about the porch, but the front of the building is already a bit of a hotch-potch, with windows not all the same design.

MC, in response:

-          was not aware that the Parish Council has withdrawn its objection. 

WT, in response:

-          as pointed out in the Officer report, there are a number of pubs of a similar age and architecture in the Cotswolds which have porches.  The porch will be attached to the 19^th century part of the building;

-          the applicant’s justification for wanting to add a porch to his pub is economic - people don’t want to sit at the front of the pub with the door opening straight in, as a draught is created every time the door opens.  Adding a porch will give full use of the internal space;

-          negotiated with the applicant over materials to make sure that the porch would look right at the front of the pub.

KS:  was perplexed by the porch when reading the papers, and would have liked to see more colour in the drawings in order to understand better what it would look like and whether it will damage the integrity of the old building. Not all the buildings in The Burgage have porches; it adds to the unique character of the pub not having one.  Is not certain how much difference a porch will make to the draughts in cold weather.

AC:  will the sign be moved when the porch is installed?

MC, in response:  yes

CH:  it isn’t for Members to question why someone wants to do something to their property and the reasons why they want to do it is up to them; our job is to say whether it will look OK or not.   In this case, there are two different buildings:  the original building and the newer part.  Buildings have bits added to them over the years, and feels that the proposal for The Royal Oak is OK.  It is in character, not out of place with the rest of the street, and will not majorly detract from the building or the street scene.  Can see no reason to refuse.

Vote on Officer recommendation to permit

14 in support

1 abstention

PERMIT