By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Cheltenham’s “last remaining Regency inn” faces an uncertain future as “terrible” plans to turn most of it into flats have been approved.
Publican Chris Evans, 79, who runs The Bell Inn in Bath Road, says he was surprised by the latest proposals for the historic building which was built in 1809.
Borough planners have granted permission for Peter Glanville’s latest scheme to convert 70 Bath Road into three flats, one studio flat, a one-bed flat and a two-bed maisonette with a courtyard garden.
“It’s terrible,” Mr Evans said, who is proud to have been running a successful establishment for more than 30 years.
“This is the last remaining Regency inn in Cheltenham.
“We do drinks, food and accommodation which is what an inn is supposed to do. And this is the only remaining one that carries on like that.
“It’s not failing, it was heaving in here last weekend.
“I’ve got five part time staff, my wife and I live here and have done for 30 years.”
Mr Evans said his patrons, who are mostly from St Luke’s, are totally against the proposals.
“When the first lot of plans were put in we got over 750 signatures against the development,” he said.
“I’m very surprised the council has approved it. They didn’t even discuss it.
“It’s just a crying shame anybody could want to shut a pub like this down.
“It is part of Cheltenham’s history. It’s been here since 1809 for God’s sake.
“And how the council can possibly agree to it, I really don’t know.
“They didn’t even bother to send it to the committee. Some planning officer approved it.
“This is a heritage public house.”
Mr Evans has yet to hear from the owner of the property about what this planning decision will mean for his inn.
In the meantime, he intends to continue to serve his loyal customers as normal.
Among those who are concerned about this latest decision is Rich Newman, who spearheaded the previous campaign to save the pub.
The council has registered the inn as an asset of community value, which, should the site come up for sale, would give residents a chance to buy it.
Mr Newman asked if borough chiefs would take into account the petition and public support for The Bell when considering the plans at council’s full meeting earlier this month.
Council chiefs said at the time they could not directly comment on The Bell Inn as it was subject to a live planning application.
Mr Newman said: “Cheltenham Borough Council is fully aware that removing the lodgings and food provided by The Bell Inn would diminish its functionality such that the inn will have no choice but to close.
“The council is also aware of the large public support and petition associated with The Bell.
“And furthermore it is this council themselves who placed upon The Bell an ‘asset of community value’ thanks to the large public pressure garnered during the first threat.
“Despite all this, the public support, the petition and asset of community value… the council has decided to disregard all this and allow the Georgian pub to be converted into luxury apartments.
“With devolution on its way, and the merger of the councils very likely, this will be the council’s legacy.
“Shame on the council for this, for their inaction and complacency. Many years from now when some former Borough councillor says ‘there’s not enough pubs any more’, I’ll be there to tell them ‘yes, specifically because of you and your choice to close them down’. “
The Borough Council confirmed planning permission has been granted for the inn and public objections as well as other relevant considerations were thoroughly assessed by the officer.
And the authority explained it was not called to the planning committee, this is something which was within the gift of borough councillors.
The proposals are for conversion of part ground and upper floors to provide three flats with courtyard garden and a retained dual alternative ground floor commercial space or public house use .
“We recognise that this outcome is disappointing for the current landlord who has managed the premises for many years,” a council spokesperson said.
“However, the role of the planning department is to consider the applicant’s submission against planning law and policy.”