Eyesore pub in Gosport to become flats

AN EYESORE pub that has stood empty for nearly four years will be turned into flats.
The former Jack in the Bush pub in Elson Road, GosportThe former Jack in the Bush pub in Elson Road, Gosport
The former Jack in the Bush pub in Elson Road, Gosport

The former Jack in the Bush pub in Gosport will be converted into six properties after councillors unanimously approved the planning application.

The pub in Elson Road has been closed since 2012 and councillors of the regulatory board at Gosport council said they would be happy to see the site in use again.

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Ward councillor Craig Hazel said: ‘It’s an eyesore that has been left in the state it’s in for quite a while.

‘The sooner something is done with it, the better.’

The application will see four two-bedroom flats built, along with a one-bedroom maisonette and a one-bedroom flat.

There will be 17 car parking spaces and facilities for cycle storage.

Originally, the developer had won permission in 2012 for four flats, nine parking spaces and the retention of the pub.

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But the construction work did not start and the permission expired in March last year.

The original plans received one letter of objection which raised concerns on loss of privacy and additional parking and traffic problems which would be caused.

Gosport Borough Council leader Mark Hook said anything that can be done to change it is welcomed.

‘This is an ugly site on Elson Road,’ he said.

‘It has been closed as the pub for a long time so it would be good to see something successful on that site.

‘I fully support what the developer wants to do.

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‘For many years that pub has been an eyesore and if there’s anything that can be done to improve it, I welcome it.’

Residents living nearby have welcomed the move.

Although they were sad when the pub closed, they said something needed to be done.

Jenny Green, 56, said: ‘More housing isn’t ideal but what else can they do with it?

‘It is obvious no-one wanted to take it on as the pub and it better to have something there than an ugly, disused building.’

Her neighbour Pauline Dacksford agreed.

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She added: ‘It will only be a small development so I don’t think it will impact the area too much apart from how it looks.

‘The councillors were right to approve the application as it will improve the look of Elson Road.’

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