CAMRA concerned as Sun Inn pub, Winforton, looks to build houses

The Sun Inn at Winforton, on the A438 between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, has applied to Herefordshire Council for planning permission for the bid.

The bid is for a proposed development of two detached two-storey homes on unused land at the rear of the Sun Inn, with private access.

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It was most recently used as a horse paddock with stabling at the top end and a fenced-off area used as a children's play area, both of which have been removed, according to the application submitted to Herefordshire Council.

But Herefordshire's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch has outlined its major concerns over the bid.

A 3D model of what the homes behind the Sun Inn at Winforton could look like (Image: Anthony Evans/Herefordshire Council)

In a four-page objection, it said the pub's day-to-day trading would be affected by the development's impact on the beer garden where the new drive is proposed.

It said it had "grave concerns" over the reduction in car parking spaces as this would be "detrimental" to the pub's trading position, and, if approved, the scheme would "inevitably make the pub business less attractive to future potential owners".

CAMRA also raised concerns about the close proximity of the proposed houses to the pub, with potential conflict arising from noise and other nuisance from customers.

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Concerns raised in objections from 12 villagers ranged from flooding fears, with lots of standing water on the A438 during bad weather, to worries about the new drive onto the road with fast-moving traffic.

They were also concerned about the pub, one of the rural village's only assets, being lost.

The plans, from applicant Anthony Evans, said an existing garage would also be demolished if Herefordshire Council granted planning permission.

There would be eight parking spaces if the two three-bed homes are built, and they would be sold on the open market.