Horton Heath: Brigadier Gerard pub set to provide extra parking

Eastleigh Borough Council has approved an application by Wadworth & Co to provide extra spaces at the Brigadier Gerard at Botley Road, Horton Heath.

The company has received consent to implement a smaller version of a scheme that was approved in 2016.

The land that will be used to extend the car park at the Brigadier Gerard pub (Image: Wadworth/Propertyplans (SW) Ltd)

A council report said: "The land currently comprises grass and scrub but appears to have been used informally by vehicles.

"The application seeks permission for an extension to the pub car park to provide an additional 11 parking spaces, with a new compacted gravel surface."

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The report referred to the previous proposal to enlarge the car park.

"This permission was not implemented and four houses have since been permitted and constructed to the south of the car park, taking up some of the land originally proposed for the car park extension.

"The current proposal seeks a smaller extension extending to the boundary of the adjacent houses.

"Having regard to the previous permission the principle of the proposal is considered acceptable provided it would not have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the countryside or the amenity of neighbouring residents."

The land that will be used to extend the car park at the Brigadier Gerard pub (Image: Wadworth/Propertyplans (SW) Ltd)

The report said the scheme represented a "relatively small" expansion of the car park.

"Given that the pub is well-established is it not considered that the extension would result in a significant increase in noise and disturbance for the adjacent residents."

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The extra spaces will lead to cars parking closer to a neighbouring house.

But the report said parking already occurred in the area. Referring to the proposed development it added: "It is considered that impacts from vehicle noise and headlights would be reduced by the proposed boundary fence and adjacent hedge.

"It is therefore not considered that the proposal would significantly impact the amenities of neighbouring residents."

The land that will be used to extend the car park at the Brigadier Gerard pub (Image: Wadworth/Propertyplans (SW) Ltd)

A design and access statement that accompanied the application said the site offered only "negligible" value to wildlife.

It added: "The intended use is to provide overspill [parking] to enable current under-capacity and congestion issues to be resolved and prevent cars from parking on the side of a busy road."

The local parish council did not oppose the application.

The Brigadier Gerard is described as a traditional country pub with open fires, wooden beams and "hearty homemade food served by friendly faces".