Traveller's Friend expansion plans approved

Crookham Common pub granted permission for extra b & b rooms

THE Traveller’s Friend, in Crookham Common, is set to expand following plans for new accommodation being approved.

The pub, through developer Ressance, had applied to construct a new building containing seven bed and breakfast rooms and ancillary space.

Ressance said that the extra rooms were greatly needed as the existing B&B is often fully-booked and that the additional rooms would aid economic growth in a rural location.

They added that the owners, Julie and John Goode, intend to improve the pub, restaurant, function room and shop.

West Berkshire Council has agreed and granted conditional planning permission.

The council said that it considered that the balance fell in favour of the benefits to the existing rural enterprise, when compared to the relatively unsustainable location of a countryside site.

The authority’s highways department also supported the scheme, provided that cycle storage be provided.

Officers considered that the pub had ample parking to cope with a small increase in demand.

They added that any further development that created additional vehicle movements would likely be turned down as it would be unsustainable.

Three people lent their support to the scheme and a 51-strong petition was also submitted, however, this was mostly in relation to the failed application for live/work units behind the pub.

One letter of objection was received with concerns over disruption to neighbours and a loss of privacy.

The approved B&B space marks a mixed week for the Traveller’s Friend, following an application for four live/work units behind the pub being dismissed on appeal.

Ressance had argued that the units would help the pub thrive economically.

The Planning Inspectorate disagreed and said that the economic need for the units had not been demonstrated.

It added that the units were not location specific and that the pub was not the right location for the units.