An Oxfordshire pub has received the go-ahead from the council to expand its business by incorporating an Airbnb.
Those visiting the village of Cassington near Witney will now be able stay right next door to the Chequers Inn at The Green which got retrospective planning permission on Monday this week for the new accommodation.
A condition has been placed on the approval which states occupation of the site must be limited to holiday tenancies and not exceed eight weeks.
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Speaking out at the West Oxfordshire District Council meeting, a planning officer said: "Local plan policy says new tourist and visitor facilities should be located within or close to service centres or villages and re-use appropriate existing buildings where possible.
"In this regard the application site lies within Cassington which is categorised as a village in the local plan and would make use of an existing building and is therefore considered to accord with policy.
"Whilst a change of use would result in a loss of on-site staff accommodation, the proposed use would be run in association with the pub and would therefore continue to support its viability in accordance with policy.
"Because of the small amount of amenity space provided, a condition is recommended to ensure the accommodation is not used as a main or sole dwelling and is occupied only for short term holiday lets."
The officer did not identify any negative impact on neighbours as a result of the plans.
Conservative councillor Sarah Veasey questioned what the parish council view was on the application during the meeting.
The planning officer said there had been a "bit of a misunderstanding" about a planning condition but this had now been clarified so "it would seem we're both on the same page now".
In a planning letter, Cassington Parish Council had said: "Some of the terms used in the proposal are unfamiliar and parts of the wording are ambiguous.
"This could lead to a misunderstanding with respect to the change of use being considered and therefore, potentially approved.
"Cassington Parish would have no objection to the property remaining ancillary to the public house, with a change of use to a short-term holiday rental, with the occupants having use of the public house car park for their vehicles.
"Cassington Parish Council would not support the change of use to a dwelling house, either ancillary to the public house, or as a separate entity, for the reason given previously, i.e. the lack of sufficient private amenity areas for it to serve as a separate dwelling in this location, and the lack of allocated parking."
Unanimous support was given to the proposal among councillors after the motion was put forward by Conservative councillor Michele Mead.
The Chequers Inn is a pub and restaurant that sells "delicious and healthy Indian cuisine, prepared fresh daily".
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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