Plans to demolish the former Wonford Inn in Exeter and replace it with a three-storey block of flats have been denied following widespread objections.
Exeter City Council condemned the proposal by Hamilton Estates, citing it as "harmful" and an "overdevelopment" that would lead to the loss of a valued community asset.
The future of the once-popular pub, located on Wonford Street, remains uncertain. The Council's refusal notice, issued on July 24, stated that the development would result in the loss of a designated Asset of Community Value (ACV). The notice emphasised that the proposal failed to demonstrate that the building's continued use as a community facility was no longer viable or necessary.
The Council highlighted that granting consent would conflict with its duty to protect valued community services. Additionally, concerns were raised about the "harmful" impact of the proposed building's size, massing, position, layout, and design on the local area and neighbouring properties.
"The proposed building would present an unsympathetic form of development that would be detrimental to the character, appearance, and overall quality of the local townscape," the decision notice stated.
The Wonford Inn was sold to Hamilton Estates in September 2023, shortly after its closure. The Friends of Wonford Inn successfully applied for the pub to be recognized as an ACV earlier this year. While an ACV does not restrict what owners can do with their property, it can influence planning decisions.
The planning application faced 52 objections. Residents and organizations, including Exeter Civic Society, raised significant concerns about the lack of parking provision, the height of the proposed development, and the loss of the cherished pub. The Civic Society argued that no evidence had been provided to show that the pub was not viable before its closure or that it couldn't be made viable by another operator.
A letter from Bettesworths estate agents, acting on behalf of Heavitree Brewery, the previous owners, stated that the brewery decided to sell the property due to financial liabilities and the lack of future prospects for the pub. The agent expressed the opinion that the Wonford Inn was no longer a viable business as a pub and that its future likely lies in alternative use.
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