REFUSE RETROSPECTIVE PLANNING PERMISSION AND CHANGE OF USE:

Why is this important?

THE WINDMILL PH, CHARLTON has been at the heart of the community dating back to the 1850’s but is now under threat of being turned into a private dwelling.

The only pub in the village was used by the community, groups, ramblers etc until it was unknowingly sold to a private developer, who has since gutted the building, built a porch, fitted plastic windows and has NOW applied for ‘Retrospective Planning/Change of Use’.

The Windmill has ACV until 05/07/2020 and is in a Conservation Area.

Historically it stands on the ancient Hicca Way dating back to Anglo-Saxon times and in the words of the council themselves:

CHARLTON - ‘this tiny village has some interesting history and features – the best known of which is its riverside pub The Windmill... An Ale-house since the 1850s’

It has connections with Sir Henry Bessemer (Father of the steelmaking process) and recently held celebrations at the pub to mark his 200th birthday with representatives from Hitchin Historical Society, The British Schools Museum, The Friends of Charlton Village and the descendants of Bessemer enjoying a special commissioned ale from Tring Brewery named ‘Bessemer Ale’.

We call on NHDC to not tolerate this flagrant disregard of the planning system and reject the ‘Retrospective Planning/Change of Use’ application and use the powers it has by serving an enforcement notice to return the Windmill to its original state before the unauthorised works.

If you would like to help prevent the redevelopment of this important community asset, please sign this petition.
Thank you very much for your support.

LSL

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