Sunday, February 20, 2011

Homes plan for derelict pub site

FRESH plans have been submitted to create homes on the site of an empty pub.

But residents who campaigned against a previous application to develop the old Ford pub in Smallthorne believe the site should be used for garages or parking.

The Ford has been empty for about three years and is boarded up.

Under plans submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the property would be converted into eight one-bedroom apartments. Two three-storey houses would be built on the pub's car park.

A similar application was submitted in May 2008 but was withdrawn by the applicant.

Residents say they do not want more homes, claiming parking in Chetwynd Street is already a problem.

The street has double yellow lines on one side of the road and many families have been using the pub site for parking.

Peter Compton, who has lived in Chetwynd Street for more than 30 years, objected to the plans in 2008.

The 67-year-old wants garages to be built on the pub site for use by residents.

He said: "We objected to it last time and these plans are exactly the same as far as I can see.

"Parking is a big problem on this road because it's a narrow street and we've got double yellow lines.

"I think if they want to create eight flats at the pub they should use the car park to build garages for everyone on the street."

Anthony Middleton, aged 27, added: "It's quite nice having the parking there and more housing would make it even more of a hassle to park.

"If the pub was in a nice area it could be restored but I don't think it'll happen around here."

But resident Susan Poole is happy the plans will bring the building back into use. The 52-year-old said: "It's better having housing than having an empty building.

"It's a nice building, it would be a shame for it just to be left."

The planning application says the development would not "radically change the existing context of the site".

It reads: "It will contribute to the improvement of the general image of the area.

"It should be recognised that areas such as Ford Green are suffering from the lack of regeneration opportunity and investment and are being left to decline further."

Shropshire-based applicant Caldmore Homes also calls on the city council and regeneration agency Renew to commit to transforming areas such as Smallthorne.

A spokesman said: "We feel the city council and Renew should commit to support local developers and builders willing to create small scale, quality designed housing schemes, especially developments that bring redundant sites back into use and improving areas around Ford Green Road."



Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503368/s/12d272bb/l/0L0Sthisisstaffordshire0O0Cnews0CHomes0Eplan0Ederelict0Epub0Esite0Carticle0E32427650Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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