Pub landlords fight plans to build house they say would block their view

Pub landlords are fighting plans to replace a former Women’s Institute building with a house as they say it would block their view.

Planners refusal to grant permission to demolish the old Beaufront and Anick WI, in Anick near Hexham, Northumberland, is currently the subject of a planning appeal.

But that is being fought by the owners and tenants of the Rat Inn next door.

Objectors – including pub owners Desire Properties, publicans Karen Errington and Phil Mason, and three other residents – claim the proposed house would “overpower the setting of the pub,” harm the openness of the area and of surrounding green belt and would represent “over-development.”

They also claim it would exacerbate parking problems on the village green and not be appropriate for the character and appearance of nearby homes, or the community as a whole.

County planning officers recommended approval but the West area planning committee voted to refuse the application – which had been submitted by Barry Endean of Chester-le-Street, County Durham – in April.

It is now being appealed in the name of James Peel, of Ovingham, with Newcastle based Dr Anton Lang as agent.

Ms Errington told The Journal that the couple has sent a letter to the planning inspector who is determining the appeal repeating their objections, stating that the dwelling would “block” views from the pub.

She said: “At the moment, we enjoy views across the valley and if the building was to go ahead, it would impact on that.”

Dr Lang described the hut as a “long wooden shed/shack” but said any decision was in the hands of the planning inspector.