The Brading Residents’ Action Group (BRAG) are urging locals to attend this week’s Town Council meeting (Thursday 3rd April 7pm at Brading Town Hall) to hear more about, and share their views on a planning application to convert one of the local pubs into two residential properties.
Sue Birch of the Brading Residents’ Action Group told OnTheWight,
“The concern, should this be allowed, is that Brading loses yet another business establishment, which will affect the town further as a place to visit. It will affect existing businesses and the church, who also depend on tourism and visitors.
“It will be a facility lost that is beneficial to locals, and of course will be a loss of employment possibilities for locals.”
Long history in Brading
The Dark Horse, which closed at the end of February 2014, have applied for planning permission for conversion to two semi-detached cottages and demolition of out-buildings at the rear. It was originally known as the Red Lion, but has also traded under many other names such as the Snooty Fox and the Smart Fox, and further back Badger’s Bistro.
Sue says that a previous similar planning application was made by the same owners about six years ago on the basis that the pub wasn’t viable.
Sue went on to give some background to the property,
“In its past history, over time, it’s not only been a pub, it’s been a Bed and Breakfast establishment, Grocers and Pottery. More recently, in addition to the pub, it had Fruit and Veg, Florist, Post Office, and Tea Room all on this site! Proving this is a valuable site. It is a Grade 11 listed building and is in a conservation area.
“Some may argue that there are enough pubs already, but they all individually have their own clientele type, they all serve different requirements.
“This pub has never been put on the open market, looking at the application, numerous applications have previously been submitted to develop this site, thankfully either withdrawn or refused.”
Have your say
If this is of interest to you, there will be more information on the BRAG Website, where you can also download a proforma letter which gives information on how to make a comment to IWC Planning Dept., as well as an A4 poster should anyone wish to display it.
Comments must be made by 18th April and can be left via the council Website (TCPL/11976/S, P/00261/14, LBC/11976/R, P/00262/14).
