A VILLAGE pub has applied to make use of land over the road as a beer garden permanent.

In May 2021, the Queen’s Head Inn, in Broad Chalke, was granted permission to use agricultural land south east of the pub, in North Street, as a beer garden.

A condition of the permission was that, in three years, the plan was reevaluated “in the interests of amenity, the character and appearance of the conservation area and wider AONB, and in order to secure the restoration of the land upon removal/extinguishment of a use”.

The plan expires on May 27 next year.

Now, Raw Planning on behalf of Chickpea (QH) Ltd, has applied for permission to make the change of use of the land permanent.

“The change of use has been a success, with no complaints regarding noise, and it has resulted in a steady, well-managed use that has provided welcome additional income to support the viability of the business,” the application said.

Land across the road, left, has been used as a beer garden since 2021. Picture: Google

“The land subject to the planning permission was put forward by a local landowner, and the applicant is pleased to confirm that this opportunity has been offered as a permanent right.

“This can, therefore, enable the success of the beer garden to continue in perpetuity.”

Use of the land as a beer garden is an “asset to the community”, the plan added, that would “not result in any harm to the village”.

For more details, and to comment on the plan, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2023/09936.