VILLAGERS campaigning to save an internationally renowned pub in the yachting mecca of Hamble are set to crowd into a public meeting at the village's Memorial Hall tonight.
Local residents called for the meeting, arranged by Hamble Parish Council, to put a development brief for The Bugle public house under the microscope.
Eastleigh council says it drew up the development brief for the waterfront pub - claimed to be known around the world, especially in the sailing world - in response to the landowner submitting plans for modern housing that locals found unacceptable.
Eastleigh council leader Keith House, local area committee chairman Councillor David Airey and planning policy chief Cliff Bowden will be at tonight's meeting to discuss the details and implications of the brief which says:
The listed building must be retained and included in any development proposals.
The use of the site in addition to a commercial use is acceptable.
The opportunity to develop the site is supported but the design must respond not only to the site, which is in the Hamble Conservation Area, but the wider character of Hamble.
Villagers have already issued a "hands off" warning but Councillor House has gone on record as saying that although the council would like to keep the Grade II listed pub open they have no power to force the landowner to do so.
Earlier this year Braemore Wessex Ltd lodged an application for the conversion of the pub to a three-bed home with 13 new three-storey homes in the car park fronting the historic Hamble foreshore.
Locals slammed the scheme and Eastleigh council failed to determine the application within the statutory eight-week period.
As a result, the developers lodged an appeal on the grounds of non-determination which will be heard by a government planning inspector in the autumn.
Meanwhile, the council has drawn up a development brief outlining what the planning authority would like to see happen on the sensitive site if it is redeveloped.
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