Plans to refurb and extend Three Horseshoes in Charsfield, between Woodbridge and Framlingham, and build three cottages rejected

Plans to refurbish and extend a village pub to include three cottages have been rejected after dozens of objections.

Edward Bolton submitted plans in November 2022 to East Suffolk Council, seeking to undertake work at the Three Horseshoes in Charsfield, near Wickham Market.

In addition to bringing the pub back into use, the plans would have seen three two-bedroom cottages built, alongside improved access to the site and the addition of more car parking.

More than 20 residents wrote to the council to object to the plans, which were thrown away by the authority last week.

East Suffolk Council said it refused the plans as the building was registered as an asset of community value.

A possible loss out outdoor space was cited in the rejection papers. A legal agreement to secure reinvestment from the cottages back into the pub was needed, planning documents said.

Charsfield Parish Council (CPC) submitted four letters in objection to the plans.

In its first letter, dated to January last year, Pam Hembra, the parish clerk, said that, while the council did wish to see the pub brought back into use, the plans were ‘fundamentally flawed’.

She said: “This application has been badged as an enabling application with the justification for the residential element being to bring the vacant public house back into use.

“However, the application submission does not satisfactorily demonstrate why enabling development in the form of new houses is necessary to bring this about.”

In a later letter, CPC highlighted possible flooding in the area as a concern for planners.

In planning documents, Mr Bolton said there was great demand for housing in Charsfield and that the proposals were the ‘best use for the site’.

Several residents who submitted objections raised questions into the viability of the pub under the plans.

Of particular note were plans for the garden.

One said: “I object to the proposed development as the Three Horseshoes is listed as a village asset and before any development takes place the Three Horseshoes has to be a viable and trading business.

“Drawings were submitted showing what is needed to create a viable business. The Garden has to be retained.”