MORE than a hundred people packed a meeting in Marhamchurch about the future of the village pub car park and its function room.

A hearing last Thursday in the Bray Institute was organised by the Planning Inspectorate in response to an appeal against Cornwall Council's decision to reject a planning application for the development of seven houses with associated parking on the car park of the Bullers Arms Hotel.

The application, by Mr Stephen Rudman, also includes the demolition of the last addition to the main area of function suite, first floor bedrooms over and car park stores.

The application was refused last October because it 'failed to demonstrate noise levels from the Bullers Arms pub and its outdoor space would not have an adverse impact on future residents of plot 1 within the proposed layout'.

The applicant appealed the decision and a site visit with the planning inspector was held in January. In light of that visit and representations by the parish council and residents, the inspector announced an informal hearing.

It was attended by planning inspector Andrew Dawe, who spent more than five hours listening to evidence before holding a site meeting.

For the full report, see this week's Post.