Property company Genko is proposing development on three sites to the north and west of the small Hampshire town which they say will provide 120 houses, a a open space and a public house. They also propose a 150 space station car park, 32 cycle spaces and a community hub/café, all of which would be within the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Whitchurch is a target
The rural town of Whitchurch is a currently a target for speculative developers as the government sets ever higher housing numbers. Genko held a public exhibition recently where they presented their proposals which are in early stages although they expect to make their formal planning application in the New Year.
In addition Whitchurch is already the subject of another large proposed development with Barrett David Wilson Homes wishing to build an additional 100 houses to their existing development at Mill Springs in the south of the town.
Meanwhile large scale house building is already underway at Owsla Park/Watership Place and by Foreman Homes at their Roman Park on the old allotments.
No to Genko
Many believe this is over-development of a small rural town known for its country setting and local heritage, pub or no pub. A number of signs have gone up around the area saying No to Genko organised by a local Conservation group.
An unusual suggestion
A public house is a very unusual suggestion in these particularly harsh times for the hospitality trade and Whitchurch has experienced mixed fortunes. Currently the town’s historic Red House is closed and is the subject of a Planning Appeal against a change of use to residential, while several other pubs have closed in recent years.
However some sectors have flourished such as the Plough Inn at nearby Longparish which was bought by the local community and is going from strength to strength as is the other pub in the same village, the Cricketers.
Meanwhile, Genko have asked Whitchurch residents if they would like a new pub as part of their consultation or whether they would like something else.
Local Town Councillor John Buckley, a supporter of local pubs as important social centres in their communities, said:
“A great many might prefer that Genko went away and didn’t build anything at all, and that customer support went to the excellent existing pubs – the Kings Arms, White Hart, Bell, Prince Regent and the Sports & Social Club – and along the road the Watership Down.“
