A medieval coaching inn and a vacant newsagent's are being developed into a luxury boutique hotel.

The Old Bull Hotel in Burford High Street is being refurbished and extended and the neighbouring 107 High Street, which was formerly a post office and newsagent, will be converted into the hotel reception and new bedrooms.

The finished hotel will have 26 standard bedrooms and 10 suites arranged over several floors.

Oxford Mail: Old Bull Hotel in Burford

The former coaching inn dates back to the 15th century and counts Lord Nelson, Lady Hamilton, King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwynne among its previous VIP guests.

In 2020 the hotel was put on the market with  Colliers International with a guide price of £1.25million.

It was sold to a private investor for an undisclosed fee. 

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Planning documents say the proposals "seek to preserve and enhance the Listed Building and its setting, to secure the commercial viabilty of the use of the hotel and provide it with a long term viable future".

It adds it will provide "an excellent facility for vistors and local people, and secure an improve local employment opportunities".

The two existing buildings are already connected on the first floor but a ground floor connection will be built.

The existing restaurant, bar and kitchen will be refurbished and the walled garden, which documents say is currently underused, will become an outside dining area.

The former boiler house at the back of the hotel will be refurbished to create a new bathhouse and wellness area and a spa garden will contain "spa pods which will form a heat circuit as part of the spa experience".

These "will be set within a English country garden with native planting to form a sheltered area for rest and relaxation".

Vehicle access will be from Witney Street. Oxfordshire County Council's highways officer raised no objections when planning permission was granted in 2021.

Hotel refurbishment contractor Paton Developments is now applying to West Oxfordshire District Council for permission to create the new entrance and reception area at 107 which was last in use as a post office and newsagent Burford News. 

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A heritage impact statement prepared by Worlledge Associates says the proposed amendments to the approved scheme "result in no further harm to the heritage significance of the Bull Hotel" and "have been kept to a minimum and have no affect on the special character of the Burford Conservation Area".

In February The Bull applied to extend its licensable areas to cater to hotel guests and said it hopes to boast a sushi bar and host wine tasting events.

Oxford Mail: Old Bull Hotel in Burford

It said it also hopes to be have a condition removed so it can play music outdoors until 11pm. 

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It coincided with an application to slightly vary the licence at the nearby Highway Inn.

Among a handful of objections, one resident wrote they were already aware of occasional late night music and fireworks disturbing households late at night.

"In addition I do not feel a town of Burford's size can comfortably accommodate the consumption of alcohol on outdoor premises later into the night," they wrote.

"With regard to the possibility of wedding parties, there are already two hotels catering for such which are situated further from 'denser' residential property.

"Is Burford to become the 'party venue' of West Oxfordshire? We do hope not."