Application by 2 Hats Development & Leisure Ltd and Hythe Nurture Haven Day Nursery to turn Malt & Hops pub in Hythe into nursery
MORE than 200 residents have called time on plans to turn a Waterside pub into a nursery.
Former landlady of the Malt & Hops in Hythe’s South Street, Stella Fletcher, is among those who say the well-used pub at the “heart of the community” should be saved.
The application, by 2 Hats Development & Leisure Ltd and Hythe Nurture Haven Day Nursery, is to convert the pub, which closed around one year ago for refurbishment, and first-floor flat into a childcare facility.
A letter of objection from Ms Fletcher – who was in charge at the pub for 11 years – stated: “South Street is a very busy narrow road that has a 20mph zone, with with single and double yellow line restrictions which are not regularly enforced.
“This road is extremely unsafe and the footpaths are very narrow. A nursery being proposed and parents dropping and picking up young children on a very busy and narrow road will only increase the risk of illegal parking to do so and put lives at risk. This is an ill-conceived change of use.”
She said the area already had “quite a lot” of nurseries, which were not full.
She added: “I want it documented that this is very much a viable pub in a conservation area and part of our heritage in Hythe, that it is very much a community asset for people of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds providing a social calendar for everyone to enjoy playing darts, pool or listening to live music.
“The pub had six mixed darts teams and two pool teams that played weekly league matches, which all wanted to come back. The pub was the only pub that had a pool table in Hythe.
“The pub has also provided a free venue for private parties, birthday celebrations, wedding receptions, funeral wakes and school reunions which these days are hard to find and plays a key role in the local economy.”
Harry Harvey called the pub “a staple of our town”, adding: “It’s been there over 100 years and every living generation of Hythe citizens has a story or memory to do with that pub.
“It should stay a pub and continue to provide entertainment and a place for people to go. If we keep removing these places our town will only be a retirement town [with] old people, nursing homes and charity shops.”
Beth Sherwood said birth rates in the area were low, adding: “There are plenty of nurseries out there. Alone in Hythe there are three [and] a little further there are so many more.”
Catherine Callaghan said she feared the change of use was “an accident waiting to happen” due to the busy through road.
“Being a parent myself, I think there is a great outcry for childcare within the local community. Unfortunately, I can't see this being the ideal location. It's dangerous on the road outside at the best of times,” she added.
The application has also received 19 letters of support, welcoming the expansion of childcare options and the creation of new jobs.
Mum-of-two Jelilah Nutbeam said it was “very difficult” to find childcare in the area. She added: “This would really help me and I'm sure plenty of other mums in the area, it is walking distance for many of us so I don't see it causing much off road issues either.
“Yes it's sad to see the pub go, but there are plenty round Hythe which people have been using since the pub has been shut. I think a child's start in life is more important then people drinking, so I support the nursery.”
Amy Chester-Sterne added: “We desperately need more nursery spaces in the area and it's a fantastic way to serve the community rather than leave the property empty.”
The nursery would be open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm and would employ 10 full-time and four part-time members of staff. Five parking spaces would be created – one more than when in use as a pub.
An existing holiday let on the site, known as the Coach House, would be converted into a two-bed market home, under the plans.
The public consultation ends on Tuesday 26th November, after which New Forest District Council will make its decision.
