South Fambridge has had a hotel/Inn for 150 years and although the Anchor had historial importance in the life of the village it was approved by the Rochford District Council that the building could be demolished and replaced by resiential flats in 2005. Villagers fought to retain a publicly accessable venue within the village and this was acknowledged by the Council Planning and was a condition of the granted plans that a bar/cafe be included within the Maritime Mews development. The bar was for some time run commercially but was unfortunately not successfull. On the 4th July 2008 the community of South Fambridge took charge of the bar by setting up a the SF Mews Bar Community Interest Company and it has been run by the Community Interest Company ever since with locals volunteering to staff the bar. Of course with fluctuations in the economy it has had to endure tough times as has many companies but has maintained a profit and was set to continue until the Landlord chose not to renew the lease in October 2011. This was a huge blow to the community as there were many Themed events held there, such as a place for the children to meet Father Christmas, Quiz Nights, Race Nights, Halloween party, Easter egg hunts starting at the bar and also some functions were already book (eg Christening). It was also used to host meetings with the local police, and Parish council meetings.
The current application is for the change of use from Bar (A4) to Residential (A3) is shown here on the Rochford District Council Planning website (please view the details and comments can be viewed and made....Have your say! News update: APPLICATION REFUSED and WITHDRAWN. A further application is expected as detailed in Shaun Scruttons (RDC Planning Dept) letter to Mark Francois MP dated 8th December 2011 (see MP post 20 Dec 2011)
http://maps.rochford.gov.uk/DevelopmentControl.aspx?requesttype=parsetemplate&template=DevelopmentControlApplication.tmplt&basepage=DevelopmentControl.aspx&Filter=^REFVAL^=%2711/00610/COU%27
These are copies of Granted Planning Permission for the Maritime Mews Flats when permission was granted to demolish the Anchor Inn and replace with the flats (with the conditions as set out .....reference to point 16)
http://msp.rochford.gov.uk/Planning/lg/GFPlanningDocuments.page
If you have other information/documentation which illustrates the requirement to retain a Bar/cafe please contact me.
As residents of a small remote village, it was recognised for the need for a venue which could be accessed by the Villagers as the requirements for all our villages and towns in this area there are strict policies for providing adequate infrastructure to allow a village/town to flourish and maintain the ethics of community life.
