Plans to demolish former Eton Wick pub for flats withdrawn

Members sitting on the Windsor and Ascot development management panel were due to hear an applicant’s scheme to knock down the historic Shepherds Hut pub in Eton Wick to build an apartment block holding five flats.

All of the flats would have been two-bedrooms with balconies. A new access from Princes Close was proposed along with 10 car parking spaces.

CGI of the flats

Planning officers recommended to panel members to refuse the plans, citing concerns over flooding and the balconies overlooking neighbouring properties. They were also concerned the apartment block’s ‘prominent’ and ‘incongruous’ design will impact the street scene.

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A month just before the first lockdown in 2020, councillors approved a scheme to build six homes and transform the former pub into a bicycle-friendly café.

Members at that time liked the designs and the pub was being re-used for something else. However, plans have changed, and the developer wanted to knock it down for new flats.

The Shepherds Hut, which is more than 120 years old, closed down in 2017. Back in its heyday, the pub was well-loved among residents and was a historic asset to Eton Wick.

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The application was also met with a wave of objections from residents, who told the developer to stick with their original plan to convert the pub into a café.

Deputy council leader Samantha Rayner (Con: Eton & Castle), lead member for Windsor, called this application in to be determined by panel members on Wednesday, August 3, due to its ‘significant location’ in the village.

The applicant withdrew the plans without an explanation.