Planners urged to approve popular Shropshire pub's car park plans

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The company, which has a host of pubs across the country, reopened the venue after a refurbishment in 2023.

It has proved a success - but has been so popular that there have been issues with parking in the area, leading to the issue being raised by concerned residents at a meeting of Atcham Parish Council.

A planning statement submitted with the application explained the issue, saying: "Since the reopening, and owing to the popularity of the venue, overflow parking beyond the premises front and rear car parks has proven to be an issue, with customers parking along Malthouse Lane to the east."

The firm identified a field across the River Severn, which it proposes using as a car park, with space for 93 cars.

The site would be accessed by drivers off the B4380, with customers then expected to walk across the historic Atcham footbridge to get to the venue.

It would also be monitored by ANPR to ensure it is only used by customers of the pub.

Since the proposal was submitted both Historic England and the National Trust, which manages the neighbouring Attingham Park, have objected to the plans over concerns about the impact on the historic nature of Atcham.

Specifically Historic England said it was worried about the effect on heritage sites St Eata’s Church, Atcham Bridge, and Attingham Hall Entrance Lodges.

The applicants have responded by amending the proposal to address concerns - although Historic England replied by saying the alterations made no difference to its views on the plan.

Shropshire Council's own conservation team has also voiced its worries about the scheme, saying that choosing other sites would remove the issues.

In a response it said: "While these revisions are acknowledged and would likely result in some improvements to the initial scheme, we do also note that Historic England has been reconsulted on this revised proposal, and Historic England have formally commented that the amended documents have not addressed nor do they affect the concerns raised in HE's letter of January 3, 2025.

"We agree that the revisions do not fully address the urbanising effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of this now pastoral site and its surroundings and there would remain setting impacts on heritage assets that could be addressed by way of an alternative site being considered."

Now, Brunning & Price's planning agents, Berrys, have submitted an updated statement urging the council to approve the application.

In it, the firm questions the level of harm that would be caused to the historic location, saying that national planning guidelines call for the impact to be balanced against the 'substantial public benefits of the scheme'.

Outlining the advantages of the proposal it says: "These benefits are threefold: supporting a successful local business and important local employer; reducing traffic congestion caused by the saturation of the existing car parking provision; and bringing the Grade II* listed Atcham Bridge back into greater use."

A decision on the plan will be taken at a later date.