New plans for village pub

A village pub could reopen alongside new housing and a shop under new plans.

The plans would see a smaller Crown pub in Martley remain next to new shop and office space with five new homes built on part of the car park.

An existing first floor four-bed flat above the pub would be reduced in size with one two-bed and one three-bed flat built to the rear.

The pub closed in 2017, having only reopened for 12 months after a significant and expensive refurbishment, and has remained empty since.

Several objections have been raised against the plan by residents in Martley with villagers saying the pub was an important part of the community and more housing was not needed.

One objection from a resident in Mortlake Drive said the empty pub had made the site an “eyesore” and more homes would not make it any more attractive.

“The site was an attractive part of the village and is now an eye sore,” the objection said.

“Housing will not make it any more attractive. What is left of the view of the Nubbins and the area of outstanding scientific interest will be obscured. The site is on a bend and close to a busy junction, so access will be unsafe.

Traffic will be increased in an area that has already seen an increase in the number of accidents, including one fatality at the junction to Martley Road.

“Recent developments, both in the village and surrounding area, have caused a huge increase in traffic already and Chantry School has expanded bringing even more traffic to the area.”

Another objector in St Peter’s Drive said: “I object to houses being put where they are not needed or allowed. The orchard is a designated green space and as such is protected from development. The rest is not on the local plan or South Worcestershire Development Plan.

“The pub, car park and orchard are covered [as an] asset of community value.”

Another “strong” objection to the plan said it should not be allowed to go ahead because not enough parking would be provided.

“Already it is an accident waiting to happen with all the cars parked on the side of the road. Please do not spoil our village with even more houses. There have been so many new developments and the village is not going to be a village. The infrastructure has not changed yet there have been many more houses. We already have flooding as the drains are overloaded.

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Malvern Hills District Council’s website. The application number is 21/00102/FUL. Public consultation ends on May 27.