Plans blocked to turn Jolly Woodman pub into Hindu cultural hub

Plans to turn an empty 19th century pub near Burnham Beeches into a Hindu cultural hub have been refused following fears the site will become a ‘temple in all but name’.

Slough-based charity, GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan, purchased The Jolly Woodman pub and submitted plans to convert the building into a place of worship in January.

The charity withdrew its initial plans in May before returning to Buckinghamshire Council the following month with revised proposals to change the venue into a religious learning centre.

A meeting of the South Buckinghamshire area planning committee heard on Tuesday how the religious group was looking to move from its current base in Chalvey.

But its plans have faced opposition from residents in Littleworth Common who fear the move could lead to a ‘disastrous’ parking situation.

Objector John Frost, managing director of The Frost Partnership, told the meeting: “I represent a South Bucks community fighting for its soul. We appeal to our council to look after your own residents and taxpayers rather than other communities from other counties.”

The meeting heard how the pub does not have any on-site parking spaces and with visitors historically using ‘common land’ nearby to park.  But objectors claimed this arrangement could lead to the area becoming swamped with cars if a new religious centre was approved.

Mr Frost added: “It’s just going to choke the whole area completely. I think it would be a disaster.”

Burnham parish councillor Marie Hammon also questioned how the revised plans for a religious learning centre differed from its original proposals for a place of worship.

She said: “The pub will become a place of worship. A temple in all but name.”

Prahlad Purohit, secretary of GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan, responded: “The reality is, we are a very small group of religious people. Our local membership is around 50 families.

“We are not like any other Hindu temple which has hundreds of worshippers.

“Currently we are operating in Chalvey and have been looking for our own Hindu religious centre for quite some time. We have made it very clear there won’t be fireworks, wedding processions or drums. Our big annual events will continue to be held at the Slough Hindu temple.”

Mr Purohit said the group had devised a travel plan which would include the option of a shuttle bus and car sharing to limit traffic heading to and from the site.

Highways officers from Buckinghamshire Council supported the plans and argued the change of use would result in no further need for parking spaces.

Councillor Guy Hollis (Conservative, Denham) said: “If it’s turned into a temple, people will be rocking up every 15 minutes to make offerings, meditate and go again. They’re not going to drive down, park in Chalvey, get on a bus.”

The committee voted to refuse the plans due to the site’s ‘unsustainable’ location for transport and parking and the loss of a community facility.