‘DELIGHTED’ Newbold residents are celebrating the rejection of an attempt to build new homes on the car park of a neighbourhood pub.
Punch Partnerships has failed in its appeal to overturn Rugby Borough Council’s (RBC) refusal of its planning application to build two semi-detached houses in the car park of the Newbold Crown, on the corner of Main Street and Brownsover Road.
The Planning Inspectorate turned down the appeal on the grounds that the development would negatively affect the character and appearance of the area, the living conditions of existing and new occupants, and parking availablility.
The initial application was unanimously rejected by RBC’s planning committee last July on similar grounds.
Residents opposed to the plans signed a petition, attended public meetings and made co-ordinated representations to the Planning Inspectorate.
Among them was Newbold resident Tony Freeman, who described pub operator Punch’s appeal against the council’s decision as ‘ill-considered’.
He said: “The Planning Inspector rightly turned it down.
“Several residents put in representations about the awful effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, on the bad effects on neighbouring properties, and on the inevitable increase of inconsiderate on-street parking.”
Fellow resident Mark O’Toole added: “We got organised, handed out hundreds of leaflets and made sure information and advice was available on social media.
“Many people got involved and it paid off. The community won. We’re delighted.”
Coun Wayne Rabin, a ward councillor for Newbold and Brownsover, said he was ‘extremely pleased’ at the Planning Inspectorate’s decision.
He added: “This is excellent news for our community and one that will be warmly welcomed after so much effort for all concerned.
“Now let’s carry on enjoying and supporting our Newbold Crown.”
A spokesperson for Punch Pubs & Co confirmed the company was no longer going ahead with the plan.
They added: “We take feedback seriously from the communities we serve and accept the decision.
“The Newbold Crown continues to thrive, and we are looking forward to the investment we have planned there in the near future. We also want to thank the community for the continued support of their local pub.”
Visit http://tinyurl.com/2b5up8um to read the Planning Inspectorate’s decision.
