Villagers living near a country pub in rural West Sussex have described plans to turn it into a “premium hospitality venue” as “entirely unacceptable” and a “gross overdevelopment”. The Woodcote pub, near the small hamlet of Graffham, could be transformed into a “high-end hospitality venue” if proposals lodged by property owner Ledmore Capital are allowed to proceed.
It would see the site expand to comprise a pub as well as 16 guest bedrooms and a brand-new bistro and restaurant, spanning a significantly larger area than its current layout. Over 20 objections have been lodged on the local authority’s planning portal, including one that warned the plans would “threaten the entire make-up of Graffham’s village structure”. “The village will be broken in half,” the dissenting resident added.
“This proposal is a gross overdevelopment within a conservation area – entirely unacceptable in such tranquil surroundings,” another said.
A third added: “Graffham does not want or need this development. It is far too big. It bulldozes through the habitat of various species and bulldozes through the wishes of the people of Graffham.”
Other locals cautioned that the “gross overdevelopment” would “alter the area’s rural character fundamentally and irreversibly” and “significantly detract” from the natural beauty of the South Downs National Park.
The South Downs is England’s newest national park. It was created in March 2010 and spans over 140 kilometres from Winchester to Eastbourne, through Hampshire, West Sussex, and East Sussex.
The pub development plans were recommended to the park planning authority. The developer said the “premium hospitality venue” would attract visitors to its “destination pub and restaurant” and offer sweeping views of the surrounding chalk downland.
“Our proposal [would bring] high-quality accommodation and a unique sustainable restaurant to this underserved corner of the park,” planning documents read.
“Key to the success of this project and its economic viability is an increased number of rooms, which, combined with the draw of a destination restaurant, will enable us to attract a broader range of visitors across more of the year, as well as our hugely valued local customers.”
