Hall & Woodhouse applies for planning permission to develop 48 homes behind its Hampshire pub

Planning chiefs are mulling over plans that could see 48 houses developed in the field behind The Plough Inn, Bursledon.

The application has been put in to Eastleigh Borough Council as the Hall & Woodhouse watering hole, on Portsmouth Road, tries to raise funds by selling off the land.

The pub was bought by the company in 2015, with the company having spent, or planning to spend, a total of £1.2 million in refurbishments.

Anthony Woodhouse, the seventh generation in the company, and current managing director, said the organisation wants to build the homes for team members working at the pub, as well as the community.

He added: “We would like to invest in the pub further to provide a larger kitchen and better facilities for our team members, including housing for those who work at the Plough, and at our other pubs in the area.

“In order to do this, we need to raise funds from selling surplus land, like the field next to the Plough.

“We believe that development of the field will also provide better connection to the public footpaths, neighbouring woodland and public playing fields, which are currently difficult to access.”

In February, plans were allowed by the council to allow an extension to the kitchen and the erection of an outbuilding for staff to use.

The new plans would now see 48 houses built, with 17 classed as affordable homes.

Mr Woodhouse added: “The residential development in turn will support the long-term viability of the Plough public house, as it increases the number of potential guests in the locality.

“We have worked hard to understand the housing needs of the local community.

“All the money is all reinvested in our business, and helps secure the future of our pubs and ensure that they sit at the heart of the community in which they operate and remain places that guests will want to visit time and time again.”