Millers Arms, Mathern must remove giant shed from grounds

A village pub will have to pull down its giant shed affectionately nicknamed the ‘dog house’ after losing an appeal. 

The barn style structure was built without planning permission in a conservation area and described as a “traditional shed” and used as an outdoor seating area beside the Millers Arms, in Mathern, near Chepstow. 

But after a retrospective planning application to keep it was refused, and the decision then upheld on appeal earlier this year, an enforcement notice ordering the outbuilding be removed was issued by Monmouthshire County Council. 

The council required the building be removed and all material also be removed the pub’s grounds within three months of it having issued the order at the end of April. 

Landlord Shaun Barnsley sought to appeal the enforcement notice in a last ditch bid to keep the ‘dog house’ he described as ‘a symbol of community spirit and togetherness”. 

He outlined how as well as providing shelter for customers at the pub the she has been used by local charities and he said provides “a serene space for individuals seeking respite” and said “it serves as a hub for positive interactions within our neighbourhood.” 

His original appeal against the refusal to grant the backdated planning permission highlighted a petition supported keeping the “dog house” and disputed it was “out of place “in the conservation area. 

The pub also received letters of support from individuals, Chepstow Cycling Club, the Bulwark Girl Guides who were provided with free chips and curry sauce when they used the outbuilding for an activity day, and Scout groups from Chepstow and Abertillery.   

In his most recent appeal Mr Barnsley highlighted the council had said a development could be acceptable and also disputed Monmouthshire council’s heritage officer’s description of the shed as “clad in timber” and having a “bright yellow/orange appearance”. 

He said it has “weathered” to a “silvery appearance similar to the Millers Arms” and is expected to continue to weather to a “silver-grey colour”. 
Independent inspector Julie de-Courcey, who considered the appeal against the enforcement notice on behalf of Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, however dismissed the appeal as she said it tried to argue there was no breach of planning permission. 

Ms de-Courcey said Mr Barnsley’s evidence mostly related to the “perceived planning merits of the case” and his “discontent” with how the council handled the planning application but she said those issues weren’t relevant to her considerations.