Historic England has its say on popular pub and restaurant's car park plans
A national heritage group is the latest organisation to have its say on a popular pub and restaurant's car park plans.
In December Brunning and Price, the owners of the Mytton & Mermaid in Atcham, near Shrewsbury, submitted a planning application for permission to add a new car park for customers.
The proposal is to have the car park built on a field across the River Severn.
The venue submitted the proposal to Shropshire Council as it it looks to cope with the number of customers wanting to visit the venue.
The application explained that parking has been an issue at the venue since it was bought and reopened by the firm - due to its popularity.
The application requests permission to create the car park in a field across the river from the pub, with customers able to park, then walk across Atcham Footbridge to get to the venue.
As part of the planning process a number of organisations have offered their view on the proposals - the latest being the heritage guardians Historic England.
In a submission to Shropshire Council's planning department it says it is concerned about the impact on nearby local heritage sites, specifically St Eata’s Church and Atcham Bridge, along with the Attingham entrance lodges for Attingham Park.
The letter also suggests that the car park would have an "urbanising effect upon this site".
It states: "The proposal seeks to enhance the parking provision for the Mytton and Mermaid.
"It is understood that the existing public house has been under new ownership and has been recently been refurbished with works being carried out since 2022.
"The business seems to be successful, hence the need for more car parking provision.
"The proposed new car park would impact the setting of the adjacent heritage assets, and has the potential to harm the significance of the Grade I listed church and Grade II* listed Atcham Bridge and Grade II* listed Attingham Park Entrance Lodges.
"Historic England has concerns regarding the application on heritage grounds, where the proposals shall have the potential to detrimentally impact upon the setting and significance of St Eata’s Church, Atcham Bridge, along with Attingham Entrance Lodges and their respective settings."
It adds: "Therefore any identified harm needs to be balanced against potential public benefits. Furthermore, it is also noted that the parking would also provide an urbanising effect upon this site, where there is concern that associated paraphernalia including signage would contribute to visual impact.
"Despite the site being located to adjacent main road, is very much that of a pastoral, tranquil and rural setting, where the car park would be detrimental to visual amenity, including key views (such as from Atcham Bridge) and the respective settings of adjacent designated heritage assets."
The letter stops short of submitting an objection to the plan - unlike the National Trust, which earlier this month said it "strongly opposes" the proposal.
A decision on the proposal will be taken by Shropshire Council at a later date.
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