Pub extension and glamping at The White Swan, Stoke Golding, Nuneaton

What was proposed

The application proposed extending the public house, adding outdoor dining facilities, changing garden land to glamping, and carrying out associated works.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the partial demolition and single storey extension to the existing public house, construction of an external bar and pergola with dining pods, a change of use of existing garden land to use for glamping tents, and associated works.”

“The proposal involves the construction of a detached external bar building as well as the erection of three dining pods, forming part of an outdoor dining area. The external dining area also involves the extension of the existing rear patio hardstanding to the rear of the proposed pergola and a gravel-surfaced area surrounding the proposed bar with tables for patron seating.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains a closed public house within the village, conservation area and partly within the registered battlefield and open countryside.

“The application site is located within the village of Stoke Golding, partially within the settlement boundary and partially within the designated open countryside. It is located wholly within the Stoke Golding Conservation Area and partially within the designated Registered Battlefield area for the Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485, which is a Scheduled Monument. The application site comprises the currently non-operational White Swan public house.”

“The land forming the rear of the site, west of the existing built form and within the designated open countryside, is an undeveloped grassed area of land surrounded by hedgerow with some scattered mature trees. This undeveloped grassed area includes the approximately 0.25 hectares of land on the site that is within the Registered Battlefield Battle of Bosworth (Field) 1485.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier proposals for six detached houses were withdrawn and a later resubmission was refused.

“Proposed development of 6 detached dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping (resubmission of 19/01244/FUL) • Refused • 20.05.2021”

“Erection of six detached dwellings with associated access and landscaping • Withdrawn…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal would support the public house and tourism facility in a sustainable location, subject to conditions.

“The White Swan public house is currently not operational as a pub and has not been in recent years. The proposal would support the re-opening of a public house in a rural area and therefore support the retention of a community facility.”

“Given the above, it is therefore considered that the proposed development would support the retention of a community facility and provide access to a community facility and associated tourism facility in a sustainable location. The proposal is therefore afforded support by Policies DM1, DM17, DM24 and DM25 of the SADMP and Policy SG17 of the SGNP.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, conservation, drainage and ecology consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while the Battlefields Trust objected to the glamping and ancillary buildings.

“The Battlefields Trust advised of their objection to the application based on impacts to the registered battlefield, noting the long planning history relating to the site and the bringing back into use of the White Swan public house.”

“Against this background, the Trust remains concerned that this planning application seeks to introduce glamping tents and ancillary buildings on or directly adjacent to the registered battlefield which are not in keeping with its rural character. It seems to the Trust that the glamping tents would be noticeable from the wider battlefield to the north and west and would have a harmful effect on the rural landscape.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Five responses raised concerns about noise, disturbance, privacy, views, parking, traffic, construction and battlefield impacts, while two supported the proposal.

“A total of seven responses were received. Of these, five wrote in objection to the proposal and two wrote in support.”

“Concern regarding noise levels from glamping use. • Concern regarding the potential for disruptive behaviour at the glamping use. • Concern regarding noise levels from outdoor bar. • Previous use of the site has resulted in noise issues from late night patrons. • Requests to limit the hours of operation to manage noise. • Request to limit the noise and disruption from construction on site. • Concern regarding impacts to the privacy of backyards of neighbouring properties.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the officer recommendation and requested an additional restriction on fireworks.

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously granted permission subject to the report’s conditions and late items, with condition 9 amended to prohibit bonfires and fireworks.

“Whilst in support of the officer’s recommendation that permission be granted, it was requested that condition 9 be amended to prevent fireworks in addition to preventing bonfires. It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Bools and unanimously…”

Minutes