Jolly Woodman plans face 171 objections as Burnham residents say no

The Jolly Woodman closed as a public house on Sunday, January 7 after trading since 1832.

Its new owners, Slough-based charity GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan bought the site with hopes to turn it into a Hindu Temple.

Plans were made public on January 31 and have since received 171 objections and 101 letters of support.

READ MORE: Plans to turn Burnham's Jolly Woodman into place of worship

Reasons for objections ranged from an increase in traffic to implications on wildlife and the environment.

The site was branded "not a suitable location" for a Hindu temple with many saying "there is no need".

In a letter of objection, Mr Mathew Evans-Pollard said: "I wish the applicant and its supporters success in securing the right facility/facilities in the appropriate location/locations in the various towns and cities of the applicant's supporters.

"This site, however, is not the appropriate site or location for the proposed use."

Others have raised issues with no public transport serving the area and inadequate streetlighting and footpaths.

Headteachers and Governors Dropmore Infant School wrote a letter of objection stating: "Our school has been located in Littleworth Common and served the local community for over 200 years with a capacity for up to 75 children aged four to seven years.

"As a neighbour to the site, we believe that the proposed development will have a serious negative impact on our school community and the safety and education of our children for a number of reasons."

Local equestrians have also raised concerns over the blocking of bridleways.

Many local residents have also said they don't feel considered and were not consulted on the changes - with many worried about disturbance during operating times of 7am to 10pm, seven days a week.

One resident also said they feel like GB Shri Raghavendra Swami Brundavan will not uphold promises of yoga and meditation sessions for the community.

Amongst the letters of support, Mr Eshwar Jayaraman said: "This transformative project promises to breathe new life into a pub site, bringing positive changes that will greatly benefit our neighbourhood."

Mr Rajeev Chourasia added: "Having been a resident of this area for more than Five years, I have observed the dynamics closely.

"The proposed place of worship dedicated to Shri Raghavendra Swami caters to a relatively small Hindu community, and based on my association with them, it's evident that the traffic generated will be considerably less than what the pub currently experiences."

On speaking with the Hindu group's trustees Srihari Gubbi and Prahlad Purohit, said: "We are a very small community. The Hindu hub can not only help us but everyone who lives locally.

READ MORE: New owners of Jolly Woodman address concerns in hopes of working with community

"We want to work with the community and give back.

"Although we are from a Hindu sector we do not restrict anyone coming into the centre. We want to work as a community."

They stated that they hope to put on activities for the community and clarified that the building would act on appointments only during the week with a weekly worship on Saturday evening.

He added that the organisation does not plan to set fireworks off on-site and prayers and celebrations are done quietly and modestly within the main premises.

The planning application can be viewed by using reference PL/24/0183/FA.

Buckinghamshire County Council are yet to give their verdict on the plans.