Sponsored by
Block of flats could replace troubled club
A PROPOSAL to demolish a troubled social club and build seven one-bedroom flats in its place has been submitted to city planners.
The Portuguese Social Club, in Gladstone Street, Peterborough, was closed in February 2010 amid residents’ complaints that it was a source of anti-social behaviour.
The club was in the middle of a residential area and neighbours complained about the noise caused by late-night drinkers using the facilities.
Police and Peterborough City Council licensing officials shut the club down after a fight involving 15 men throwing sticks and bricks on January 31, 2010.
The site has since been bought by Michael Pragiola and an application has been submitted to Peterborough City Council by H A Architectural Services on his behalf to demolish it and build seven new flats.
The proposal is now being considered by council planning officers but a date for a decision has not yet been set.
Simon Percival, owner of the Stamford-based H A Architectural Services, said: “This proposal would help to tidy up the area.
“We are aware there have been a lot of incidents down there in the past and we are looking to completely renovate the site.
“We are still talking with the council about the specifics, but it could be that we work with a local affordable housing provider.
“I would hope we should be able to get on site this year.
“After knocking down the existing building, it would take about 12 months to build the seven flats.”
Peterborough City Council Central Ward Cllr Nazim Khan has welcomed the news of the plans to knock down the old Portuguese Social Club but he remains apprehensive about seven new flats being built in its place.
Cllr Khan said: “The Portuguese Social Club caused us some serious issues.
“There was a lot of drunken behaviour and late-night fighting.
“The licence was up to 3am and people when they were finishing in the other pubs would come to this one because it had the late opening hours.
“Because it was in a street with narrow roads, it was waking people up and causing a lot of headaches.
“There was a lady living next door to the club who was very distressed.
“I think those residents will be very happy it is closing forever and nothing in a similar vein is replacing it, and I share that feeling.
“But I am not too sure they would be happy with the flats.
“Wherever there is a little bit of open space in the ward, people seem to be cramming in flats rather than building higher quality housing.
“But I would never reject it outright and we need to look at the merits of it, and what affect it will have on the residents, the road users and the street scene itself.
“It is still in an early stage and we will have to see, but on a personal note I’d rather it become a house.”
The application can be seen in the planning section of the council’s website at www.peterborough.gov.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 1 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Weevil
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 06:16 PMHaha brilliant, as if 7 one-bed flats are going to cause any less trouble.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.