Plans to refurbish the vacant White Hart Inn at Widcombe, including adding more guest rooms, have been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The White Hart Inn in Widcombe
The Grade II listed pub is said to be in “urgent” need of restoration, having fallen into disrepair. It closed in 2024 and the site was sold to hospitality company the Walcot Group.
The group’s first pub was the award-winning Pear Tree at Whitley followed by the Methuen Arms in Corsham.
Currently it operates Green Street Butchers, Mother & Wild in Corsham, Little Walcot in Frome and Solina Pasta in Bath, as well as its flagship Walcot House, which is a restaurant, bar and events business and where there are currently plans for seven boutique guest rooms.
In March the Walcot Group submitted applications to the council for planning and listed building consent for the “C21 evolution of The White Hart”.
The project involves interior and exterior works of restoration, remodelling, extension and landscaping along with changing the use of the residential unit, former gin distillery and retail unit at 1a Prior Park Road to create an enlarged pub and bar area, separate dining and private dining, new kitchen with back-of-house areas, new toilets, staff changing facilities and bin store, as well as increasing the number of guest rooms from six to 10.
The council received five comments of support for the proposals, including from the Widcombe Association Committee.
One supporter observed: “The pub is an important community asset for many years being part of a vibrant Widcombe community.
“It has been missed since its closure 18 months ago and Widcombe will benefit from its reinstatement as an important destination and the expanded facilities planned in this application will be welcomed by many in the community.”
There were four letters of objection. One told the council: “The venue as a pub and wedding venue was already very noisy, especially when hosting weddings and having drink bottles collected at 5am.
“The planned extensions now seem to be creating a full-blown hotel venue which will lead to further traffic congestion, late-night lighting and noise, let alone the sheer amount of work planned on a listed building which will rumble on for months and months.”
They added that plans to lift the building’s height and add numerous more windows would reduce their privacy.
Concerns were also voiced by objectors about traffic issues and the noise from waste collections.
In their analysis of the plans, council planners said the use of The White Hart as a pub with guest accommodation is well established and the proposed development would result in an expansion of dining and accommodation.
“As such an increase in noise, activity and footfall is likely.”
They said the proposed alterations and extensions will follow an established line of change, adaptation, and additions at the site and by consolidating and removing parts of the building that detract from its character and appearance, it will have a positive impact overall.
The officers added that in response, and to address concerns raised, amendments to the scheme such as the removal of a balcony, reduction in window size and conditions intended to protect neighbours’ amenity, have been secured.
The conditions include that the courtyard shall not be in use after 10.30pm or before 9am to safeguard people living nearby, and that no waste and/or recycling shall be collected outside the hours of 8am and 6pm.
A council transport officer had concluded that the proposal will unlikely create an issue on local roads and it was noted that existing traffic restrictions are in place around the premises where there is no on-site parking, which should deter travel by private cars.
The planners’ report highlighted the “demonstrable and substantial economic and social benefits associated with this proposal which will involve the creation of jobs, as well as providing a vibrant community asset.
“Additional visitor accommodation is being provided, which is beneficial in this sustainable location within Bath.”
