A bid to demolish a pub and replace it with retirement townhouses and apartments has come under fire from a planning officer.

Savills has submitted a pre-application scheme for the redevelopment of The Crown Inn site, in Alton Road, Odiham, on behalf of Hexon Developments.

The developer wants to knock down the pub, which became an Indian restaurant before closing in September, and build nine town houses and apartments.

Savills said that since then, the site has been marketed for an alternative use but no serious interest has been shown in reprising it as a pub.

The company pointed out the site is close to other homes and is further from the centre of Odiham and other local public houses, making it a less attractive destination.

“In addition, the other public houses are better provided for in terms of outdoor space,” adds Savills.

“The combination of these factors has led to The Crown Inn struggling to operate an effective business.

“This is further demonstrated by the lack of interest received in the property as a viable business venture within the last nine months of marketing.

“The property will continue to be marketed for use as a public house for a period of 12 months prior to the determination of a planning application.”

Hexon Developments proposes a terrace of homes comprising four one-bedroom apartments, two one-bedroom townhouses and three two-bedroom town-houses.

It argues the proposal will bring a brownfield site back into beneficial use, reducing pressure on greenfield sites and providing much-needed housing for older people wanting to downsize.

The company added, the site is in an accessible location within the settlement boundary and served by local public transport, with a ‘high quality design solution’ contributing positively to the area.

But Kerri Crutchfield, a senior planning officer with Hart District Council, has outlined a number of concerns.

She said national planning policy identifies pubs as community facilities and makes it clear that their unnecessary loss should be resisted.

“The Parish of Odiham Village Design Statement (2009) states that community halls, restaurants, churches and pubs are vital to the life of the parish and provide opportunities for people to gather,” she said.

“Such premises make a tangible contribution to the social cohesion of village life, and, in that sense, are irreplaceable.”

Mrs Crutchfield said the demolition of the existing building is ‘regretted’.

“This is an attractive building which contributes to the character of the area,” she added.

“Any application submitted would need to be supported by a heritage statement to assess the contribution this building makes to the conservation area and what impact its demolition would have.”

Mrs Crutchfield added, the floor plan drawings show a ‘very cramped and contrived’ form of development.

“The built development immediately abuts the pavement at the north end of the site, there is very little useable amenity space, and little space remaining for parking and soft landscaping,” she added.

“This is a sensitive site in the conservation area, next to a listed building and in a prominent location as you enter Odiham from the west.

“It is considered that this cramped form of development would result in harm to the character of the local area and local heritage assets.”

Hexon Developments is now considering whether to come back with a firm proposal.