Plans for new homes on pub site ‘cramped and contrived’ says council
BID TO KNOCK DOWN BUILDING IS REJECTED
PLANS to demolish a pub in Suttonin-ashfield and replace it with homes have been turned down.
The Blue Bell pub, on Mansfield Road, would have been knocked down and five three-bedroom townhouses, an apartment block with four two-bed apartments and four one-bed apartments built in its place.
But Ashfield District Council has rejected the proposal, criticising the potentially complete demolition of the pub and highlighting that the new homes would cause “detrimental harm”.
A council report, which refused to give planning permission to the applicant, said: “The design, layout and plan form of the proposed development would appear cramped and contrived, appearing at odds with the layout and scale of properties within the vicinity.
“The development also makes no attempt to retain and reuse the existing heritage asset on the site.
“The proposed development would also likely cause detrimental harm to highway safety and potentially increase the likelihood of pedestrian-vehicle conflict as a result of unclear and insufficient information having been provided.”
The council report added that although the applicant claimed the pub was no longer trading, there was no evidence to support this statement. It also said no information had been provided which showed the pub was no longer viable or that demand for it was low in the area.
To the rear of the building the beer garden and a large car park with enough spaces for 20 cars would also have been built on.
The council said it was disappointed that the non-designated heritage asset was referred to as an “outdated” building by the developer.
The planning document, submitted by CODA Architecture on behalf of applicant Mr J Schreiber, said: “The proposal considers previous and likely future developments in the area which will create a new pattern of urban development that varies in terms of height, scale and massing.
“This proposal has been carefully considered to fit into this emerging pattern by virtue of its design, and to add further ‘density and scale’ at this location to encourage a more sustainable pattern of urban development.
“[The] appropriate architectural approach could help to strengthen the identity and character of the area. Replacement of an outdated building with a high density development of far greater value and benefits for the local area.”