Plan to demolish pub and build flats is thrown out

PLANS to tear down a city pub and replace it with student flats have been thrown out by city councillors after a plea by local residents.

The scheme would have seen 44 student rooms built on the site of the Town House pub in Harwell Street, in Plymouth city centre.

Members of the city council planning committee said the scheme was out of keeping with the “village” character of the area and would cause parking headaches for local people.

Brian Lapthorne, speaking on behalf of residents, said the area was originally developed as a village, for which the city council won awards.

“This development will stick out like a sore thumb and will tower over neighbouring buildings,” he said. “The design and colour scheme will be an ugly mismatch.”

Planning officer Mark Evans disagreed with Cllr Nicky Wildy (Lab, Devonport), who said she was not sure how the development would fit in with the city centre area action plan.

Cllr Nicky Wildy (Lab, Devonport) said the proposed rooms were too small. “I would not want my grandchild to have to live here,” she said.

She called on members to join her in rejecting the development, which she said would overlook neighbouring properties.

“I would not want to live with 44 pairs of young eyes looking down on me.”

Councillors on the committee were concerned that students would all bring cars and increase the pressure on parking.

Cllr Edward Delbridge (Con, Moor View) said that with the increase in university fees there might not be enough students to fill the beds.

Cllr George Wheeler (Lab, St Budeaux) said the plan was out of keeping with the area. At five stories high, the scale would be “overbearing and dominant”.