Time finally called on landmark pub
Firs to shut despite community campaign to save it
Time has finally been called on a landmark Polbeth pub despite a community fight to save it.
Councillors on the Development Management Committee backed revised plans by owner Franco Cortellesa to demolish the Firs, at the east end of the village, and build 10 flats and five shops on the site.
The pub was bought by Mr Cortellesa in 2008 and was latterly leased out. It closed in 2016. Plans last year to build six shops and 20 flats have been revised and the new development is smaller in scale and height.
Last year’s plans brought 29 objections from local people and the new plans have only brought nine, the committee heard.
However Louise Dickson, speaking for objectors said the strength of feeling remained as high as before, with concerns about single bedroom flats being introduced into the area, more noise, disturbance and traffic increase posing a danger to children using the school bus drop off point near the site.
Central to the objections though was the loss of the pub as a community hub for the last 40 years. Ms Dickson told councillors there was no demand for the number of new shops proposed and added: “We are going to lose an integral part of the community, used for fundraising, Christmas festivities and family occasions.”
Agent for Mr Cortellesa, Dan Henderson acknowledged that the community and the village community council wanted to retain the Firs but told the committee. “The Firs has been a great pub, but its best days are gone”.
He cited a report by the Campaign for Real Ale which detailed the huge scale of pub closures in Scotland, pointing out that the trade had been badly hurt by the surge in cheap drinks sales in supermarkets, stricter drink driving laws and the smoking ban.
The one-bedroom flats would be aimed at young professional people and those wishing to downsize and would meet the growing demographic demand in the area.
Councillor David Ta i t suggested that the new commercial units could contain a community cafe to act as hub and urged the developers and community to speak to each other. Councillors agreed to grant the application with attached conditions.