Wigmore pub gets ‘suites’

Part of a North Herefordshire village pub is to be converted into four “hotel suites” under newly approved plans.

Disused outbuildings to the rear of the Castle Inn in Wigmore will now become four self-contained holiday units under plans put forward by Andrew Lunnon of Rock Farm Caravan Park, Bromyard.

Each of the four will have an en-suite bedroom with outdoor terrace on the ground floor and a lounge and kitchen/dining area with balcony on the first floor.

Wigmore parish council opposed the plan, saying the balconies’ modern materials went against local planning guidance, and that the design of these was not consistent in the application.

And neighbours Philip and Jane Brown said the balconies would overlook their property and that this was among reasons for a previous planning refusal.

The county’s public rights of way officer added that an existing footpath past the pub and through the static caravan park to the rear “has already been obstructed by development, and must not be further obstructed”.

Planning officer Andrew Banks concluded that “whilst perhaps overtly ‘urban’ in appearance, the physical changes to the building are considered to result in less than substantial harm to the [pub’s] appearance”, and would not “materially affect the living conditions” of the neighbours.

But the planning approval came with conditions on of the design, materials and colour of the new windows, doors and balconies, “to ensure that the impact is properly minimised”, Mr Banks said.

A further condition required that the suites be used for holiday accommodation only.