Row erupts over ‘gaudy monstrosity’ gastropub near home of Shakespeare’s wife

Residents and history buffs have hit out at the owner of an Indian gastropub in Stratford-upon-Avon for its “disrespectful” proximity to the home of Shakespeare’s wife Anne Hathaway.

The Cask N Tandoor was built by Rakesh Singh on the edge of the grounds of his four-star Burnside Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon in March without planning permission.

Mr Singh, whose glitzy hotel charges £265 a night, has come under fire from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as well as local authorities for the boozer’s incursion onto the conservation land near the 14th century farmhouse where Anne Hathaway grew up.

He could be forced by the council to demolish the pub, which has also met with opposition from those living in Shottery, the small and wealthy hamlet where Shakespeare’s wife spent her formative years and where house prices hover around £500,000.

Mr Singh was originally granted permission to replace a shed on the grounds with a hotel extension comprising two bedrooms and a plant room – but came under pressure from the council when he doubled the size of the development before turning it into a gastropub.

Stratford District Council refused to award the pub retrospective planning permission last week, suggesting that it fails to “enhance the character” of the pretty spot.

Locals have criticised the building’s impact on wildlife in Shottery brook, and environmental damage was among the reasons flagged by planners for refusing to give it a green light.

During the application process, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which manages the cottage where Anne Hathaway grew up, launched legal action against Mr Singh on the grounds that his new pub “intrudes” on their land.

They also suggested that it had “a detrimental impact on the rural community and … the character of the area”.

And Shottery residents were of a similar opinion – with one calling on the council to demand that Mr Singh demolish the “gaudy monstrosity” as soon as possible.

“[He] has shown a complete lack of respect and a brazen disregard for planning laws [as well as] a casual disrespect for wildlife,” another said.

While a third added: “This is simply not the appropriate place to have a loud sports bar and Indian restaurant. Thousands of tourists visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage every year and shouldn’t be exposed to this kind of establishment.”

A spokesperson for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust said: “The works have overdeveloped the site in contravention of local planning policy, the existing restrictive covenant and does not respect the amenity of the surrounding properties, including Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.”

Stansgate Planning, on behalf of Mr Singh, said: “We are currently reviewing the reasons for refusal and all the consultation comments with a view to either submitting another planning application or appealing against the decision.”

Stratford District Council declined to comment, stating that the application is still being treated as “live”.