Winchester planners give green light for River Cottage restaurant
WINCHESTER planners have today (June 20) backed controversial plans for a new city restaurant.
A planning committee unanimously approved changing the use of Abbey Mill in Colebrook Street from office to restaurant.
It means River Cottage, run by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, will take on a 15-year lease once the council completes structural improvements.
The controversial application was submitted by the council itself rather than the business, and was opposed by local residents and councillors over concerns about noise and traffic problems.
But the committee decided the benefit of tourism and finding a use for the building outweighed these concerns.
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