Council says pub's water feature must go

10:16am Tuesday 23rd December 2003

PLANS to enhance a picturesque pub garden with a water feature to attract wildlife have been sunk by conservation bosses.

Officers from Wycombe District Council claim installation of a pond housing carp and rare plants at The Beech Tree in Hazlemere, would be detrimental to the conservation area.

After visiting the site in November, officers ordered publican Jules McCann to return the half-built waterfall to its former glory - a compost heap.

Mr McCann, licensee holder, said: "I was astonished to hear I needed permission for a pond on private land. What was there before was a compost heap and overgrown brambles. Now tell me which would enhance the area more?

"I have no intention of antagonising the council. If they want me to return the compost heap to its former glory I'll happily oblige. It just seems so stupid though, the council are always on about preserving wildlife."

Mr McCann and partner Louise have invested more than £6,000 on improving the garden during their two-year tenure, planting colourful flower borders, installing authentic fencing and improving an existing water feature.

But news the popular pub garden is to lose its latest feature has left staff and regulars perplexed.

Carla Pike, of Shrubbery Close, said: "In an age of modernisation and destruction of natural habitats we should salute a pub which is determined to encourage and support wildlife. The Beech Tree is a joy to visit in the summer where the charming gardens are full of birds singing and insects buzzing. The council should be ashamed of itself."

Kevin Sims, of Underwood Road, added: "Why is a pond more detrimental to the area than an ugly compost heap? The council don't really help themselves do they."

Officers also told the pub it required planning permission to plant daffodils and crocuses along the fringe of a footpath mirroring flowers that bloom on council-owned land across the road.

In a letter to the pub, Glyn Jackson, enforcement officer, said: "The site lies within the Terriers conservation area and the conservation officer is of the opinion the pond and waterfall is an inappropriate form of development detrimental to the area."

Despite pleas from neighbours and regulars alike the district council has ordered the pond be removed and the compost heap returned by early January.

A spokesman for the planning department, added: "Mr McCann does have the option to submit an application for consideration, although the view at this time is that such an application would be unlikely to be considered favourably."

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