Many in Arreton are put out that the wooden playground at the Dairyman’s Daughter pub is being dismantled today.
VB spoke to Andrew Gibbs today to find out the detail, after George Booth alerted us to the story last night (Thanks George!).
Andrew, the owner of the pub, told VB that he put up the wooden playground without planning permission, as he didn’t realise he needed it, commenting that, “It does seem a little bizarre to need it.”
Planning permission refused
The Isle of Wight council got in touch, telling him to apply for permission for it to stay there. This was then refused.
The pub appealed against this finding, leading to a planning inspector from Bristol visiting in May. He decided to reject the appeal.
Ordered to dismantle the playground
Andrew was then informed that he had to take the playground down by 10th July. Given no choice, he instructed his handy men to start taking it down today.
The playground is not just used by customers of the pub, but also the children at Arreton St Georges school nearby.
“As the school has had to reduce its available parking due to its expansion, we’ve allowed parents to use our car park to pick up from school,” Andrew told VB.
There was a great deal of discussion on Facebook last night, with parents of children who use the playground outraged at its loss.
Loss of privacy and increased noise
Objectors to the playground cited noise, supervision problems and a loss of privacy as their major concerns.
One objector made suggestions for the playground’s relocation to what they consider a more suitable position nearer the dining area.
Full details of rejected planning application can be found on the council website.
Image: Used with the kind permission of Gemma Lawrence
