A POPULAR Pub and carvery on the edge of York is seeking an ‘upgrade.’

The Riverside Farm Pub and Carvery on Shipton Road, Rawcliffe, has submitted plans for a canopy extension to its entrance, a single storey side extension, timber cladding to exterior and re-use of hardstanding for car parking and the demolition of outbuildings.

Owners Greene King of Bury St Edmunds says the venue has operated as a pub/ restaurant for many years, with the addition of a Wacky Warehouse play facility, and the upgrade is needed “in order to maintain its offering to the public and ensure its long term operation.”

The 1229m2 site area was previously a farm complex and could be classed as in ‘Grey Belt’ as in planned government planning policy.

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The application seeks to demolish a walkway link between the pub and the Wacky Warehouse and use some hardstanding area to the north to increase the parking from 94 spaces to 107.

A new terrace to the southern side will use decking and existing paving.

Planning documents said: “The proposed design, including the demolition of elements of the existing buildings, is seen as consolidating the operation of the existing pub/ restaurant but also by opening up the site with better views both into and out of the site.”

The application further said: “The main thrust of the proposal is the removal of areas to facilitate and upgraded pub/restaurant with more in keeping extensions to the building. These upgrades are considered an aesthetic improvement to the character and appearance of the property and also in keeping with national and local planning policies identified above.”

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“The proposed single storey extension on the southern elevation is flat roofed and will provide a more attractive and appropriate customer service area. The addition of timber cladding will also reflect and tie the character of the overall site.”

Removing the walkway between the pub and the Wacky Warehouse would reduce the mass of the building works, it continued, and lead to a more open site when viewed from the road.

The application noted ‘very special circumstances’ are needed for the approval of schemes in the Green Belt. But it said: “The added advantage of this proposal is the opening up of the site and the reduced impact of the buildings on the Green Belt location.”

It also said the pub/restaurant was a community facility, whose continuation demands an offering of the standards people require. The proposed upgrade will provide that and will provide a development which contributes both recreationally and economically to the area.

It concluded: “The proposed development is considered acceptable in terms of policy, design and form. The extension will enable to be upgraded with a design in keeping with the original building whilst also opening up the site and reducing the mass.”

It met local and national planning policies and should be approved, the application added.