Dear Mr
Lewis
Bishop
Blaize
It has been brought to my attention
that a new planning application for the Bishop Blaize for change of use to a
private dwelling.
Please take this
email as my objection to this new application, which is
the latest of a string of differing applications.
It is such short notice for this
planning application to come to light in view of the busy Christmas period but I
know I am not alone in asking you to
seriously consider against this application.
The Bishop Blaize is a part of our
English heritage and whilst I know there have been some new planning laws that
have come into force and with which I am not ‘au fait’, it would be a
considerable loss to the village of Burdrop, and to neighbouring Sibford Ferris
and Sibford Gower.
The Bishop Blaize provided a meeting
point for local young and old to meet and, as such, it was a godsend for the
local community. We want that facility back.
The Bishop Blaize was an extremely
viable business before the current owners took it over (so I am not sure why
they put it back on the market only 3 months after taking ownership but that
probably doesn’t hold any water in terms of planning).
As a village pub, with good parking
facilities and a super garden overlooking the valley, it drew regulars and
visitors from near and far, bringing money into the Cherwell
district.
With pubs closing every week, all
around the country, every closure has a general knock on effect on the viability
of the brewing industry. Indeed, Hook Norton used to supply the Bishops
Blaize and, therefore, their takings would be down as a result. Too many
closures eventually will mean job losses and redundancies for breweries.
It is also a fact that the Bishops
Blaize provided employment for local people (particularly youngsters for whom
work is very hard to come by) which is
another very important point to
consider. Indeed, it is a well-documented fact that small businesses
contribute more to the GDP (Gross Domestic Profit) in the
Should the change of use to a
private dwelling be granted, I suspect the property and its grounds will be
developed (into who knows what) and destroy the charm, sanctuary, beauty and
character of this wonderful part of Cherwell district and we shall all be the
poorer for a community with no heart.
Please consider your verdict very
carefully.
Yours
sincerely