Plans to turn pub into cultural hub withdrawn
An application to turn a longstanding pub near Burnham into a Hindu cultural hub has been withdrawn following more than 200 objections and hundreds of letters of support.
The 19th-century Jolly Woodman, in Littleworth Road, was purchased by Slough-based charity, GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan, which submitted plans to convert the building into a place of worship in January.
The group sought full planning permission to alter the interior of the Littleworth Common premises and build a meditation room and additional parking facilities.
It also proposed a change of use to a place of worship.
However, the proposal for the historic former pub was subject to hundreds of objections by residents and Buckinghamshire Council departments.
The plans were considered a ‘significant detriment’ to its surroundings by Buckinghamshire Council's property and asset management team and to cause the ‘likely’ deterioration of a Site of Special Scientific Interest according to the ecology department.
Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey also filed a letter of objection to the council last month, citing concerns about the increase in traffic and parking as well as the environment.
Natural England had ‘no objection’ to the submitted plans, and many residents wrote in support of the proposed yoga and meditation centre, encouraging an ‘influx of new people with new ideas and broader views’ and the need for ‘diversity’.
Cllr George Sandy (Con, Cliveden) filed a comment in April calling for the application to be scrutinised by the planning committee at a call-in due to ‘so much local concern’.
Planning officer Alex Armour confirmed on May 10 that the application is being treated as withdrawn and the file has been closed.
GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan trustees Srihari
Gubbi and Prahlad Purohit have been contacted for comment.