Wednesday 1 July 2009

It's all in the planning


This morning the whole family were at Babergh District Council offices at a planning committee meeting.

When we first wanted to build a micro brewery we went though the proper channels. The site, at the time, was an old stable block that had been all but blown down in the 87 storm. The stable was rebuilt using bits of ply and corrugated iron; it didn’t look good. So we planed to build using what there was left of the original structure and then add to it. Local planners saw this as a change of use and extension rather than a new build, so we applied for planning permission and it was granted.

During the building progress we made some minor alterations, these included solar panels, velux windows and moving the staircase outside. When, however, we applied to make these minor amendments the planning offices realised that we should have applied for a new build rather than a change of use. We where informed we must reapply.

On the whole the village is in full support in what we are trying to do. Our main aim is of cause to keep the pub open as well as selling a good selection of local ales and local home cooked food. But there is one or two who feel a busy pub will affect their house price, so will go to great lengths to cause problems for us.

This morning that minority didn’t even bother turning up at the committee meeting. After a few hours watching local politics in action (rather slow action) a decision was to be made. In the end the planning offices recommended planning permission was granted and all council members agreed. Yippee! This whole sager had been going on for to long; we were building when Jeff/Stonch visited for Eddyfest 2 years ago. At last we can stop worrying about a few nimbys and start brewing some more beer!

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