Councillors respond to pub demolition appeal

Proposals to demolish a vacant pub and build housing in its place would have been approved if not taken to appeal, councillors have said.

On Thursday (May 30), Rother District Council’s planning committee considered whether it would have granted planning permission to demolish the former White Hart pub in Cripps Corner and build four houses, a small commercial premises and parking in its place.

The now inactive application was considered as part of the council’s response to the Planning Inspectorate, which is looking into the proposals in light of an appeal by developers on the grounds of non-determination.

While the application had proven to be controversial with residents, planning officers advised the committee that it was considered to be a scheme which should have been approved.

In light of this advice, Tony Ganly (Con, Northern Rother) said: “Ewhurst Parish Council and some residents had raised concerns to this development – amongst them overdevelopment, parking, traffic, loss of light, drainage and the viability of the existing pub.

“[But] with regards to overdevelopment the report explains how it would be very difficult to sustain a refusal on those grounds.

“In terms of viability, the efforts to sell the property have not been perfect. Nevertheless it seems to me that a refusal on these grounds would be flimsy and probably unlikely to persuade the planning inspector.

“I would be very sad to lose such an iconic building, but I really can’t see solid material planning reasons for refusing this application.”

Cllr Ganly also spoke of other residents’ concerns, but argued these would also not been grounds for refusal.

Other councillors, however, expressed their unease around the application – particularly around the viability of the now vacant White Hart pub.

Susan Prochak (Lib Dem, Robertsbridge) said: “This is a very difficult one, isn’t it. When it was a thriving pub it provided employment and we know from experience that if you get the right management and the right chef then pubs can be gold mines.