The Planning Inspector considered the appeal from the owners of the White Lion against Rushmoor Borough Council’s decision to refuse permission to convert the pub to flats has dismissed the appeal.

The campaign has reached a pivotal point and it is possible that soon there may be an opportunity to buy the pub for the Community. A small group of us, the acting Management Committee, have got the campaign to this position, but if the community is going to achieve the purchase we will need more support.

We hope that you had a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend – although it does seem a while ago already.

And on the theme of Jubilee celebrating – we thought we would share some past and present images.

Some of The White Lion exterior as it is now.

As the White Lion Campaign continues to successfully oppose the planning applications made by the current owner, we must plan for the time when the White Lion becomes available to purchase at a sensible market price. Now that the social restrictions imposed by the pandemic have been removed for all but the most vulnerable, the opportunity exists for the White Lion to reopen, regenerate and Roar Again.

Another planning application has been submitted by the owners to convert the White Lion to housing. However, this application is only for conversion of the upstairs area to flats, with the downstairs area being retained as a pub. Importantly the owners claim they now accept the Council’s and communities preference for retaining the pub and that a mixed use proposal would be a significant benefit and make the pub more attractive.