Will it be ‘ale’s well that ends well for Walberton’s last pub?

Six homes are set to be built in the grounds of The Holly Tree, in The Street, and the pub itself will be refurbished by its owner, Hanbury Properties, with four new bed-and-breakfast rooms also created in the grounds.

Arun’s development control committee unanimously approved the plans at its meeting last Wednesday, when Hanbury Properties’ agent, Amanda Sutton, said that the development would bring a much-needed boost to the pub, which has been closed since December.

She said: “My clients have listened to the concerns of the residents of Walberton.

“We have been collaborating closely with residents, the parish and district councils and hope that, if this development is approved, to save this much-loved village pub.”

Hanbury Properties also agreed to grant Walberton Parish Council the leasing of the pub on a 999-year lease, giving the council control of the pub’s future.

There were 19 letters of objection against the now-approved development – 10 from the same address – compared to seven letters of support. The parish council was not opposed to the plan.

In an officer’s report to the committee, the design of the proposed homes was said to be “in keeping with the character and appearance” of the area.

The report said: “The proposal is not considered to result in any loss of visual or residential amenity, highway safety, ecology or drainage.”

A previous application for eight bed-and-breakfast rooms, alongside nine residential homes, was refused in April.

The officer’s report stated that the original proposal was located outside the built-up area boundary, where the countryside was protected, adding that the layout and siting of the proposed development would appear cramped and out of character with the surrounding area.

The council also said the earlier proposals failed to make an adequate contribution towards affordable housing.

Councillors imposed several conditions on the planning approval for The Holly Tree, including one stating that the bed-and-breakfast facilities for the pub must be constructed before any of the six homes are built.

Hanbury Properties will also provide a sum of cash to help develop a community playgroup building in the village.

The pub was built in 1867 and has since been at the heart of the community.

It was previously owned by Enterprise Inns, which sold the pub after several landlords struggled to make the business a success.

It closed and reopened after being bought by Hanbury Properties, only to shut again in the summer of 2010 and reopen a few months later.

The latest closure, last month, followed a decline in business.

The Holly Tree remains Walberton’s only pub, with two nearby pubs having closed in recent years.