Planning application for a pub next door to St.Thomas
There has been a planning application for change of use for the Fords shop (currently Palfrey & Kemp) next door to St.Thomas Church to become a Wetherspoons pub (NFDC application 95473). We have lodged an objection to this application for several reasons. In case you wish to do so too (in which case you must respond before 7th May 2010), or if you'd like to know why we have objected, here is our submission to NFDC:
We have grouped our objections below under the headings: Commercial, Logistical, Health and Safety, Nuisance and Cultural.
Commercial objections
There are plenty of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in Lymington already, including 3 pubs within 300 yds of the site: Thomas Tripp, Fusion Inn, and King's Arms. Other nearby bars include Angel Inn, Stanwell House, King's Head, Graze, Ship Inn, and Borough Arms, all within 500 yds. Tollhouse Inn, Mayflower, Fisherman's Rest, White Hart and Chequers are all within easy reach.
Logistical objections
1) The site is on a busy junction, where possibly intoxicated pedestrians would have a serious impact on traffic flow. There is no possibility of putting in a safe road crossing at that point.
2) The site adjoins an important set of footpaths linking different parts of Lymington. Crowds spilling out of a pub would obstruct this important thoroughfare and make people even less likely to walk.
3) There is no provision for parking at the site, and existing parking is already under pressure.
Health and safety objections
1) There is no rear exit from the site other than a small gate into the churchyard owned by the church. We have allowed this to be an emergency exit for the existing shop but could not reasonably allow large numbers of people to use the exit as it leads directly into an area of recent memorials.
2) If the garden is used as a pub it seems likely that bottles and glasses etc will be thrown over the wall into the adjoining churchyard. As well as the danger of injury to passing pedestrians there is also the risk of flying glass when the grass is mown.
3) The frontage of the site adjoins a low wall and iron gates into the churchyard. These are likely to be used as a climbing frame by pub visitors.
Nuisance objections
1) Since people are not allowed to smoke on the premises they are likely to congregate outside, right next to a popular pedestrian thoroughfare.
2) The noise from the garden will be a nuisance for those who are tending memorials next to the wall.
3) There will be intrusive smells from cooking on the premises.
Cultural objections
1) The church and hall are used for many children's activities including the Tuesday crèche, dancing, and our Sunday worship “Family Time”. The footpath is used by many of the children walking to and from our two Primary schools. It is not appropriate for parents to have to bring their children right past a pub at a time when we are trying to discourage drinking.
2) A church and its churchyard are traditionally places of quiet and dignity in our culture, and the siting of a pub next door would be offensive to many people. We are particularly concerned about the many people, of all faiths and none, who attend weddings and funerals at St.Thomas and rightly expect them to be conducted in an appropriate manner and in an atmosphere of respect. There would be a particular issue on some of the great holy days in the church calendar such as Good Friday, which is marked by a three hour service of silence and meditation in the church, and by heated sporting exchanges in pubs. There is room for both but they are not good next door neighbours!
Summary
There is no need for any further drinking establishments in Lymington and, even if there were such a need, this would be a very bad location. Accordingly we ask that you reject this application.
Megapub Monster: Welcome Neighbour for the Church?
30th May 2011
A new Application has been received for a change of use at 47-48 St Thomas's Street, from retail shop to use as a public house and beer garden.
The proposed site is enormous - as big as Tesco in the High Street. This would be no cosy cafe - nor town tavern - which might sit comfortably next to our historic church and churchyard. It would be a colossal operation, the like of which Lymington has yet to experience, turning over an estimated £6,000 on an average day - perhaps double that amount at weekends. Some 70% of this would be generated by the sale of cut-price drinks. That is a staggering amount of booze - the description is apt.
In their own Code of Conduct, the Applicants themselves state that pubs can be a 'potential source of nuisance, anti-social behaviour and crime'. The proposed drinking establishment would operate on a huge scale, opening every day, including Sundays, for a minimum of 16 hours. At peak times more than 200 customers could be on the premises, raising serious concerns for public order on the streets, particularly at closing time. Even the best management cannot control events beyond the pub itself.
Furthermore, the disturbance in the streets outside from the general hubbub of comings and goings, especially late at night, would seriously blight the quality of life of those living nearby, causing anxiety and stress for local residents and churchgoers alike. The project would pose a real threat to the unique character and peaceful atmosphere of the church, churchyard and Conservation Area, which draws many visitors to the town.
In their original Decision Notice, the NFDC said: " The proposed drinking establishment ... would detract from the cultural significance of the Church and grounds as a place of quiet dignity and respect which is a feature of local importance for the community."
Put simply, this is the wrong location for such a massive enterprise.
But even though this second Application is merely a tweaked version of the one that was turned down unanimously last year, your original representation will not count on this occasion. YOU MUST REGISTER A NEW OBJECTION without delay, either on-line or by letter (it doesn't need a stamp if you take it to the Town Hall in Avenue Road) addressed to:
The Development Control Officer, NFDC, Appletree Court, Lyndhurst SO43 7PA
THE MEGAPUB MONSTER IS BACK. DON'T LET HIM IN THIS TIME!
Megapub Monster: Welcome Neighbour for the Church?
A personal message for the Vicar, the Revd Peter Salisbury:
The report of the NFDC Case Officer, in rejecting the first Application, concluded that "The public interest and the rights and freedoms of neighbouring property owners can only be safeguarded by the refusal of permission [for a change of use]."
This is a completely new Application. More information has recently come to light warning of the sheer scale of this operation, which threatens the sanctity of our Church as well as the quality of life in the wider community.
Objections made earlier will not be considered this time round. Please ensure you submit a new representation on behalf of St Thomas's and its parishioners as soon as possible. The wording could be identical to that which you took care to construct against the first Application, over a year ago (see top of page).
Members of the Church congregation who also wish to object to this proposal should be actively encouraged to make their own views known to the NFDC - before it is too late.
THE MEGAPUB MONSTER IS BACK. DON'T LET HIM IN THIS TIME!