Nursery-pub war in Warwickshire village rages on

Campaigners against plans to turn the former pub into a nursery pictured earlier this year.

Stratford District Council’s planning committee has decided to postpone their decision to allow for highways experts to have another look at the site of the derelict Dog Inn.

Planning officials had encouraged councillors on the committee to approve the application, which had been revised by applicant Lucy Nealon since she withdrew a previous one in July.

Mrs Nealon, who wants to open a Banana Moon franchise at the premises, has previously told the Courier that she believes there is insufficient demand for the pub to be bought by another brewery and that her business would be open for longer than the current childcare providers in and around the village. She said it would cater for children younger than those who attend other providers.

But the district council has received 142 letters and a 153-signature petition objecting to her plan. Concerns were raised about traffic, parking and the loss of a pub, which people considered to be viable.

People also felt that there was no need for another nursery in Harbury, while the village’s parish council also objected.

The plan attracted four letters of support, including one from district councillor Richard Hamburger, who said: “The new proposed use creates brings new business to the village. The ability to attract business from outside is not to be sneezed at.”