PLANNERS have approved a plan for a modern-design house in the car park of a former historical Meon Valley pub. Liz Freemantle applied for the house at the back of the pub, now known as Lion Hill House on Main Road in West Meon. The 18th century former coaching inn closed in around 2014-15 and planning permission was given for a two-bedroom house after a planning appeal in 2018. West Meon Parish Council dislikes the plan saying it was inappropriate for a village full of old building. But two neighbours did not raise any objections. Cllr Mike Read told the planning committee: I used to frequent the pub. The reason the pub closed was because of the number of cars that would go into the pub. It is a very dangerous bend.
A HOUSE described as gone mad and a monster has been allowed to be extended. City councillors on the planning committee disliked the scheme but said there were no planning grounds to reject it. Dean Churcher applied to put a 3.5m first floor extension on Long Ash on Pitcot Lane, Owslebury. Members of the city council planning committee expressed concern about the way the house was growing. Cllr Mike Read said: This is a property that seems to have just gone mad. Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith said: It s a bit of a monster, isn t it? But I don t know on what grounds you can refuse it. The overlooking is not going to be any worse than at the moment.
THE FIRST major visible extension on a street of suburban houses in Winchester has been approved. Phil and Claire Szakowski applied for the extension over the garage of a house at 13 Harestock Close, Harestock. Planning officers recommended approval but there were seven objections and also the local parish council. A report to the planning committee said: The character of Harestock Close is provided by the identical design of dwellings. Due to the subservience of the extension, the built form would only be visible when directly in front of the property, those entering Harestock Close travelling toward the application site will be presented with the current view of the street and the same assessment applies when travelling in the opposite direction.
Louise Tyson wants to cut down a walnut tree in her back garden on Compton Street. The council was told the tree had little public amenity value and was in poor health. The city council had put in a temporary tree protection order in July and have now made it permanent. Council tree officer Ivan Gurdler disputed that the tree was unhealthy. There is nothing to suggest the tree is in a poor health. The tree is under threat but it is in reasonable health and vitality. Mr Gurdler argues the tree can be seen from the public highway and makes a contribution to the setting of the Conservation Area giving the tree high visual public amenity value.