We have fantastic and a true Christmas bonus piece of news:

The Planning Inspecter considered the appeal from the owners of the White Lion against Rushmoor Borough Council's decision to refuse permission to convert the pub to flats has dismissed the appeal.

The Appeal Decision is well laid out and can be read in full here.

Paragraphs 3 to 9 of the decision relate to the need and viability of the White Lion as apub where the Inspector says:

"I have considered the contribution this proposal would make to the supply and mix of housing in the area. However, given the scale of the development, this benefit would be moderate...... The positive benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the social harm arising from the loss of the public house and the significant adverse effect upon the integrity of the SPA. "