Petition from Chartridge Parish Council
Subject: Appeal in Support of Retaining the Mobile Home at The Blue Ball

To Whom It May Concern,

Chartridge Parish Council submits this petition in support of the appeal to retain the mobile home at The Blue Ball pub. The mobile home is essential for providing accommodation for the pub's chef, whose role is critical to the continued operation of this valued local establishment.

The Blue Ball is a cornerstone of our rural community, offering not only food and drink but also a space for social interaction, events, and community cohesion. Its location in the countryside makes recruitment of skilled chefs exceptionally difficult due to the limited candidate pool and the challenges posed by the area’s isolation. Without the current onsite accommodation, the chef will have nowhere to live, forcing their departure and likely resulting in the pub's closure.

We understand the planning authority’s concern about the mobile home’s compatibility with the national landscape. However, we urge consideration of the following points:

• Minimal Visual Impact: The mobile home is visible only from a narrow section of the road and does not impact the wider character of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Its presence is unobtrusive and has no significant effect on the surrounding landscape.
• Community Value: The closure of The Blue Ball would represent a profound loss to our parish, both economically and socially, far outweighing the minor visual impact of the mobile home.
  Rural Challenges: In this countryside setting, alternative accommodation for the chef is not a viable option. The absence of local housing options makes onsite accommodation the only practical solution.
• Chartridge Parish Council strongly believes that retaining the mobile home is essential to safeguarding the future of The Blue Ball. This establishment is more than just a business; it is a vital part of our community and an important contributor to the local economy.

We respectfully urge the planning authority to approve this appeal, recognizing the community-wide benefits and the minimal impact of the mobile home on the national landscape.

Yours faithfully,
Cllr Savvides,
Chartridge Parish Council