Public house extension plans set for approval

Plans to extend a village pub look set for approval.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee will next week discuss proposals lodged to build a first floor extension on the Rollers Arms public house in Southsea.

The application, which has been recommended for approval by the head of environment and planning, proposes that the extension is used to provide a dining area associated with the pub.

Details listed in a report due before committee members next week, state: “The Rollers Arms is a double pile building which appears to be of at least mid-19th Century origins appearing on the earliest OS map for the area however it is likely of earlier 19th century origins.

“The pub formed part of a small cluster of buildings to the north of the main village of Southsea. The immediate area developed significantly during the latter part of the 19th Century when the Plas Power colliery to the north west of the site was established. The building is likely of sandstone construction which has subsequently been rendered.

“The proposal is for a first floor addition to the side elevation of the building together with replacement windows to the High Street elevation, and a large gabled porch to give definition to the main entrance from the street and improve legibility to accessing the building.

“The initial submission did not appear proportionate when viewed from High Street against the existing building. The scheme has since been amended by raising the height of the gable facing High Street so that it now appears more consistent with the existing gables fronting High Street.

“The replacement windows are much improved in terms of their proportion and method of opening, and enhance the character of the building.”

Two letters objecting to the proposals have been submitted, with concerns raised about increased noise due to additional customers and loss of privacy, light and overshadowing.

However the head of environment and planning notes in the report that: “Given the relatively small increase in floor area I have no reason to think that the use of the outside space within the curtilage of the public house will increase significantly.”

In his report the head of environment and planning concludes: “The proposed extension is acceptable in terms of scale and design, and adequate onsite parking has been provided together with safe and satisfactory vehicular and pedestrian access.

“The residential development of the site would not be detrimental to the local residential amenity or the visual amenities of the area and would accord with Policies PS2, GDP1 and T8 of the UDP.”

The application will be considered for approval at 4pm on Tuesday 2nd January. For those who can’t make the first Wrexham Council meeting of the year, it will be viewable on webcast here.