An application to serve alcohol from Winchester’s former pumping station has been approved by licencing chiefs, despite a host of objections from nearby residents.

General Store co-founders Alex Donnan and Laura Turner applied for a premises licence to serve alcohol for consumption both on and off the grounds of The Pump House on Garnier Road, St Cross, from 12 noon to 6pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 12 noon to 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.

The application was discussed at a licencing sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, May 11.

Some 27 residents submitted objections to the proposals during the consultation phase, six of whom made representation to the sub-committee in person.

Among those was Councillor Chris Edwards who represents the St Michael ward for Winchester City Council. He highlighted public concerns about the position of The Pump House, citing the road layout, lack of traffic controls and increasing congestion as a possible risk to customers leaving the venue.

He further referenced the site’s position within South Downs National Park, and its immediate proximity to a site of importance for nature conservation and a site of special scientific interest as a potential ‘intrusive public nuisance’.

But interim licencing manager Briony Appletree insisted road safety concerns in respect of a licensing application could be considered by Hampshire police if deemed appropriate. However, no such representation had been made.

Licencing chiefs further acknowledged the applicants had agreed a reduction to the proposed licencing hours with officers during the consultation phase and suggested a sign be installed encouraging customers to leave the premises quietly.

The approval signals another step towards fulfilling the owners’ vision for the repurposed site, which was described as ‘an independent upmarket co-working, wellbeing café that will be appealing to the locals of Winchester’ in the application.

A previous application which was lodged by the pair last year sparked similar backlash and was subsequently withdrawn, with Mr Donnan later explaining that he had “really listen to the concerns of the community”.

He had formerly insisted any further application for an alcohol licence would only be for members of the workspace, to be able to hold parties for them.

Speaking to the Chronicle in November, he said they had moved away from the idea of a General Store model, instead focusing on a co-working space for “like-minded” people who are home workers and wanted to “branch out”.

Plans for the premises also incorporated an aerobic space, cinema room, and a studio where crafts and yoga could take place.