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PLANS to extend Romsey's Cromwell Arms restaurant and pub into a 10-bedroomed hotel are all set to go ahead.

Originally the Horse and Jockey pub and more recently the Casa Bodega, it was this week described as the "gateway" pub to the town on its western side when councillors came out strongly in favour of the scheme.

Officers had advised Test Valley Borough Council's Southern area planning committee to reject the proposal for the new single-storey extension, to be connected to the main building by a walkway, on the grounds that it was too big and went against policies.

But local ward councillor, Clive Collier, took issue with an officers' report which suggested the addition would be "dominant" and stressed: "This scheme is a modest single-storey extension containing 10 bedrooms, which is a much-needed facility for this town. I cannot possibly support the officers' recommendation and I think everyone will support me."

Almost everyone did, with the eventual vote to delegate the head of planning to grant permission subject to negotiations and conditions being carried 15-3, and the vote for consent to alterations to a listed building going through by 15 votes to one.

Both Cllr Collier and Cllr Daniel Busk referred to extensions to various other pubs and hotels in the Test Valley and Cllr Steve Cosier stressed the need to maintain a healthy economy in the area and reflected: "In this case, the planning officers have got it wrong."

The only sustained support for the officers' calls for refusal came from Cllr Mrs Sally Lamb, on the grounds that the council was still in dispute with the owners of the Cromwell Arms over the presence of a large marquee on the site.

The council has opted for enforcement action to have the marquee removed, but the owners have appealed and an inquiry is set to take place next Tuesday and Wednesday. Mrs Lamb said: "If they win the appeal, we could have the extension and the marquee."

The application on behalf of owners, the Delicious Dining Group, was submitted by Casa Bodega Ltd, whose adviser, Richard Greenwood, told the meeting that the design was "sympathetic and low key".

He added: "This is a good scheme and if it is made any smaller, it will not be built."

The company had also sent councillors a leaflet which showed the extension would have minimal impact on the landscape.

Pointing out that 57 pubs closed every month, it said: "This is a 250-year-old community pub. We are trying to make it viable, despite spiralling costs, sinking sales, fragile customer confidence and the harmful effect of the smoking ban.

After the meeting, Delicious Dining Group managing-director, Steve Hughes, said: "The team are the Cromwell Arms are delighted with this outcome. The result was a fair one and it is really good news for both Romsey and the surrounding region.

"After dealing with some minor conditions we anticipate having contractors on board by the end of year and would look for completion of the hotel in the second half of 2009."

9:34am Friday 18th July 2008

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