THE LANDLORD of a popular pub has warned of potential closure if his planning application to Waverley Borough Council is rejected.

Martin Groves, of The Hop Blossom pub in Long Garden Walk, submitted a planning application to Waverley Borough Council (WBC), hoping to formalise an arrangement of more than ten years, whereby benches are seated on the pavement outside.

He said: “These benches have been here since living memory – I don’t think anyone can remember a time they were not here.”

After making his application and the target date of decision passing, Mr Groves expressed an interest to officers in submitting a pavement licence application – a new scheme introduced by WBC in August to help businesses cope with adjusting to Covid-19 measures.

Despite never submitting a licensing application, Mr Groves received a phone call and visit from officers.

He was informed by officers the application would be unlikely to succeed as it would ‘interfere with the pedestrian flow’ in Long Garden Walk, raising concerns for safety.

Mr Groves said: “There is no pedestrian flow here – this does not link to anywhere.

“The benches here act as a de-facto barrier to the pavements, which are in a poor state of repair.”

Mr Groves recognised the new legislation was designed to “grant easier pavement licences and encourage people to be outside”, but now fears any application could be rejected, purely because of “tick-box guidelines”.

He said: “A council coming down extremely hard and taking a very draconian interpretation of the rules will not be helpful to the town of Farnham.

“Without an outside space, the pub will not be viable – I effectively lose the pub and become homeless.”

In a letter to planning officers, Farnham Castle ward Councillor David Beaman said: “The street furniture, which is the subject of this planning application, has been in existence for over ten years, probably before planning permission would have been required for such street furniture;

“Because of its long existence, the street furniture should be permitted to continue since its presence has been long established by custom and practice without any significant complaints being made over many years.”

A spokesperson for WBC confirmed planning officers had been visiting all licensed premises regarding compliance with Covid-19 restrictions, and it would have been correct to advise Mr Groves of the ‘likely refusal’.

Read and comment on the application (WA/2020/0872) at planning360.waverley.gov.uk