Skip to content

'Iconic' fire-hit pub to be demolished and rebuilt

Noni Needs
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Hall And Woodhouse The charred ruins of the burnt out pub. Some of the brick walls of the basement level are still standing and some blackened steel girders remain on the upper level nearest the road but the building is mostly collapsed or demolished.Hall And Woodhouse
The wrecked building will be demolished and replaced with a four-storey glass and wood fronted new pub and restaurant

Permission has been granted to demolish the charred remains of an "iconic" pub that was gutted by fire.

A much-loved community hub, the Osborne View on Hill Head Road, Fareham, was lost to fire in February 2024.

A planning application from pub owners Hall and Woodhouse Ltd was brought before Fareham Borough Council's planning committee on 12 March.

A replacement four-storey pub and restaurant with staff accommodation, reorganisation of the car parking, and garden terrace to the beach was approved for the site.

It was described as a "golden opportunity" to bring a more modern building to the area.

Mackenzie Wheeler A cross-section illustration of the building. There are four storeys - the lowest is at beach level. The main entrance is on the third floor at road level and includes an open-air terrace facing the sea. The top floor is labelled team bedrooms and the flat roof is covered with solar panels.Mackenzie Wheeler
Plans include a beach bar, restaurant and staff accommodation

The new three glazed terraces will replace what the council officer called a "mish-mash" of buildings.

Stubbington ward councillor and Fareham mayor Pal Hayre said: "Osborne View has always been an iconic part of Hill Head and its rebuilding will be a significant step in rebuilding both its role and heritage at the heart of our community.

"There has been a hole in the community since it burnt down. It was a community pub, a unique place that helped the local economy."

During the meeting, a resident requested a wall to replace the fence that boundaries his home with the pub car park.

In an unusual move, and with agreement from the applicant's representative, the council officers moved to put that request as part of the planning permission.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Mackenzie Wheeler An artist's impression of the four-storey rebuilt pub including wood cladding and glass. Tables and chairs with parasols can be seen outside while balconies with seats are on the upper floors.Mackenzie Wheeler
The plans were described as a "golden opportunity" to bring a more modern building to the area

Speaking after the meeting, Mark James, property director at Hall and Woodhouse, said: "We are delighted to confirm that the planning application to rebuild the Osborne View pub has been approved by Fareham Borough Council.

"We can't wait to start work, and hope to build something truly special that will attract old and new guests alike, and be a real asset to the local community."

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

More on this story
Related internet links