Erlestoke pub garden extension plan rejected by council

The plans relate to the George and Dragon in Erlestoke

Plans for a garden extension at a 17th Century pub have been rejected.

The retrospective application relating to the George and Dragon in the village of Erlestoke has been rejected by Wiltshire Council because the garden has replaced some parking spaces.

The council said it would encourage parking on the main road which would be a danger to drivers.

Pub owner Paul Gardner said he plans to appeal the decision so that the garden does not have to be scrapped.

The application was retrospective, meaning some changes already made would have to be reversed if the appeal is unsuccessful.

"All the tarmac was removed and landscaped. We planted it all up, put flowers in, stone, gravel and nice walls. It was hideous before and it's pretty now," said Mr Gardner.

In the application, the owner said existing parking to the rear was a safety hazard to customers because its narrow access created a risk of accidents, so it would be safer as a garden, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Parking spaces at the front of the pub could still be used although the area is public rather than part of the pub.

"We will appeal it on the grounds that it doesn't fit our business model to have a car park in the rear.

"We've had Covid and everyone wants open spaces now. We will keep appealing until it happens," added Mr Gardner.

However, the council said: "The proposed development would be likely to encourage the parking of vehicles on the public highway which would interrupt the free flow of traffic and prejudice the safety of road users at this point."

The council also objected to a new wall at the pub which it said extends into the highway in a position where it obstructs visibility and the turning circle for large vehicles.

Correction 10 April 2023 - A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the pub had been closed for six years.