Food & Hospitality · Devizes
Bottlesford pub redevelopment plans spark debate among residents
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Proposals to transform the Seven Stars in Bottlesford into an expanded hotel and leisure complex have received mixed reactions from the local community ahead of a council decision.
Plans to breathe new life into The Seven Stars at Bottlesford have triggered a significant local debate as Wiltshire Council prepares to make a formal decision on the future of the historic village inn. The site, situated in the Pewsey Vale, was purchased in late 2025 by Lady Loretta Rothschild following its closure earlier that year.
The planning application, lodged with the council on 14 September, outlines a comprehensive redevelopment of the landmark. Architects behind the project aim to preserve the original thatched building while demolishing more recent rear extensions, which they argue create an inefficient and convoluted internal layout. The proposal seeks to replace these modern additions with a series of single-storey structures arranged around a landscaped central courtyard.
If the plans are approved, the expanded site would include a larger restaurant, private dining areas, and a multi-purpose community space alongside upgraded kitchen and toilet facilities. A notable component of the scheme is the significant increase in overnight accommodation, with 12 lettable bedrooms planned to replace the existing two. Furthermore, the development features a yoga barn, a covered cart shed for outdoor food service, children's play equipment, and extensive garden improvements.
The project has drawn substantial engagement from the community, with more than 80 responses submitted to the planning authority. For many villagers, the prospect of restoring a defunct local meeting place is a welcome development. Supporters have highlighted the potential for the investment to provide a much-needed boost to the local rural economy while returning a vital hub to the community.
Tony Bromovsky, a local farmer and resident, said he strongly supported the investment, noting that it was essential to help relaunch the pub in a manner that remained in keeping with the area. Another local resident, Melisa Aikenhead, echoed this sentiment, stating that the village had felt the absence of the pub as a social centre and that the proposed expansion was necessary for the business to remain economically viable in the current climate.
However, the project has also faced opposition from some local neighbours. In their formal submission, one nearby family expressed support for the pub's return as a community asset, as originally designated in 2025, but raised strong objections to the scale of the expansion. They argued that the transformation into a hotel and leisure complex would create traffic pressures in the immediate vicinity that have not been sufficiently addressed by the current planning documents.
While community opinion remains divided, the technical assessment of the project is ongoing. Wiltshire Council's highways department has not raised an objection to the plans as currently drafted. The decision now rests with the local authority, which is expected to pass judgement on the scheme in due course.
Source: Wiltshire Times · View original