Demolition of pub is refused

An application to demolish the Golden Lion in Church Street, Stanground, and replace it with a store - believed to be a Nisa - and four flats was turned down by the council’s Planning Committee.

The decision was welcomed by Labour councillor for Fletton and Stanground, Councillor Alan Clark, who said the proposed new store was “out of character for Stanground.”

He added: “They wanted to build a Nisa but they’ve just had one done up on Fletton High Street.”

Planning committee chair Cllr Chris Harper, Conservative member for Stanground South, was one of eight members to go against the recommendation of the council planning officer which was to approve the application.

Cllr Harper, who proposed during the meeting that the plans be rejected, said: “I was concerned at the access for delivery vehicles.

“I did not think reversing from Church Street into the area was safe. It’s already a congested area.

“Other than that the actual proposal to demolish the existing building, and put in a new building and flats, I did not have an issue with.”

The application was for a ground floor retail unit and four first floor residential flats.

It was referred to the planning committee by councillors Clark and James Lillis, Liberal Democrat member for Fletton & Stanground.

The council received 71 objections to the plans, and only one message of support, and they were opposed by the council’s transport and engineering services department which said: “The proposal would pose a danger to the safety and free flow of traffic on the adjoining public highway.”

This was because the development would not “provide adequate facilities within the site for the turning, loading and unloading of delivery vehicles.”

A planning application went in two years ago to convert the Golden Lion into an Afghan community centre.

The news sparked a petition opposing the plans which was submitted Peterborough City Council.

However, the application was withdrawn without explanation the following month. This was despite the council planning officer recommending that it be approved even though the proposals had received 383 objections from residents.