A Wiltshire landlord fears he may be forced to sell his pub over a “draconian” planning row about parking.
Adrian Gott bought The Carpenters Arms pub in Lacock, which closed in 2019, 18 months ago and plans to spend £1 million bringing the venue back into use.
Work recently started to renovate the “dilapidated” building, after planning permission was granted to refurbish the property.
Mr Gott, a local business owner, has enlisted chef Leigh Evans to run the venue once it has reopened.
But the scheme has hit a snag after Lacock Parish Council and some residents voiced objections to a second planning application, proposing to improve the frontage by adding a seating area and parking spaces.
The parish council fears the loss of parking space for residents will be “restrictive” for cars using the street.
READ MORE: The Carpenters Arms pub set for revamp under new plans
Adrian Gott and Leigh Evans at The Carpenters Arms (Image: Newsquest)
Mr Gott says if he is unable to carry out the renovations as planned he will apply to convert the pub into housing and place it on the market.
He said: “We’re having all kinds of ridiculous problems trying to get the pub back up and running.
“We want to put seating and benches outside to display it better and give customers safe access.
“I’m not going to spend £1 million on a redevelopment if I can’t protect the frontage and have some parking provision out the front.
“It will be up for sale if we can’t achieve what we want to, which is sad.”
While there has been significant support for the regeneration of the site, Mr Gott has been left disappointed at what he claims is “red tape” delaying the proposal.
Adrian Gott and Leigh Evans at The Carpenters Arms (Image: Newsquest)
He added: “It’s rare these days that people invest in pubs and reopen them, and it takes a lot of commitment.
“We’re trying to bring a heritage asset back into use for the community, so it seems draconian and is so disappointing that we’ve had all this pushback and red tape.”
Lacock Parish Council did not respond to a request for comment.
In its comment on the planning application, a spokesperson said: “Church Street is characterised by no building having dedicated space in front of the built development, rather the land is classified as highway which accommodates casual parking for residents and visitors.
“The proposal to have permanent external seating in front of the Carpenters Arms in Church Street will have the effect of changing the street scene and character of this part of Lacock which has been in existence since Medieval times.”
Wiltshire Council is due to determine the application by July 24.
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