A pub that serves “tandoori plates covered” within a space crying out for Shakespeare’s heritage site may be demolished due to objections.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust claimed that the Gask N Tandoor pub was built in violation of a legal covenant that limits development on land owned by hotelier Rakesh Singh.
The charity, which looks after the nearby cottage where Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife, was born, launched a trial against Singh. Anne Hathaway’s cottage was built in 1463 200 meters from Cask N Tandoor in the village of Shottery, in the county of Warwick. Singh opened a gastropub on the grounds of the four-star Burnside hotel in March.
Faith Singh accused the violations of the Covenant, including “repetition of the offense”, illegal works and damages to the land, which is in the conservation area. It says the pub has a “detrimental impact … on the rural community in terms of the intensity of use and the effect on the character of the area”.
Singh, 56, applied for a retrospective license for one pub- stromat and patio area. But Stratford-on-Avon district council rejected its plans on December 16, citing concerns about the impact on biodiversity and development.
The council also said the pub “does not maintain or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area”.
Singh told the council to challenge or submit a new application.
In submissions, villagers complained the pub was “incongruous” with the surroundings of the quiet village, wildlife had encroached and disturbed the bank of the nearby stream.
One woman living nearby said the public’s customers were rude, and the site had brought light and noise pollution. “It’s especially bad in the winter months, with spots pouring into my garden/windows,” he wrote.
“The noise pollution from its large car park, which accommodates smokers from the hotel, again disturbs the local population, sometimes into the late night hours.” The owners are busy at night … and when they are connected to the hotel bar, the rudeness of the customers can jump to my garden and the windows are open, they can be heard very clearly.”
Another said: “Not happy this was built without planning permission. The noise in the evening from the drinkers in the garden can be great. Over this evening he felt relaxed in my garden, and went in and out of Shottery to get busy.”
A third said: “It is simply not appropriate at this point to have large sports and Indian restaurants. Thousands of tourists visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage every year and should not be overwhelmed by this establishment.
Gask N Tandoor boasts a 6ft (2m) wide televised sports and “live air”; says his website.
Stansgate’s homework for Singh said: “We will now review the reasons.” [planning] the refusal and comment of all consultation, submission or appeal against the decision, view or application of the policy.
A spokesman for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust said it had lodged an “official objection to the retrospective planning application with Stratford-on-Avon district council”. The work does not respect the location in contravention of local planning, existing restrictive covenants and the amenity of surrounding properties, including the Anne Hathaway cottage.
Faith manages the cottage of Anna Hathaway, where Shakespeare’s wife lived in 1556. Shakespeare is believed to have visited her at home during their honeymoon.