Old Bear Inn, Riverhill, Cobham
Planning Application Ref:
2007/ 2733, 2796, 2797

In March of this year when the Old Bear planning permission was lodged we opposed it on a number of counts and indeed it was refused.

The new planning application follows the appointment of a new architect and account has been taken of many of our concerns. This new application still includes provision for a new, wider and enclosed front porch which will alter the facade of the building and there will be the loss of some related fabric. The application also includes a proposal to remove one of the ground floor windows and replace those remaining. The architect argues that this new entrance is needed to enable the pub/restaurant to operate more effectively and to provide better access for disabled people.

Your committee has weighed up on the one hand the new porch and windows, and the resultant change in appearance of the facade, together with the loss of some fabric, and on the other that this is now the last pub in the central area of Cobham, that it has been losing money for some time and if this application is turned down the pub, as we know it, could well close and be lost to the community.

The Bear has been a pub for hundreds of years and the preservation of its role in the community is as important as the preservation of its facade. The question is whether it should be allowed to move with the times  or whether its fabric and facade are effectively sacrosanct. Importantly, there is the argument that the best way to ensure the long term conservation of the building itself is for it to contain a viable business. 

Fourteen of the sixteen members of your committee have spent time considering the proposals, (the remaining two are on holiday) and we resolved by a majority, but a long way from being unanimous, not to oppose the application and that the alterations were necessary for the pub to remain fit for purpose.

Some of our members will be supportive of this approach some will not; it is a fine judgement call - none of us have found this easy and there were strong views expressed on both sides. We commend you to look at the plans and form your own view of the competing issues.

If you wish to express your views, these should be sent to the Planning Department, Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9SD or email tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk quoting the Planning Application reference above.

Public Consultation ends on Wednesday the 14th November 2007.

N.B. The submission by the developer on the Old Bear stated that the proposals had the support of the CCHT. This was not accurate. They have withdrawn this statement, apologised to us and notified EBC accordingly.

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The History of The Old Bear Inn