Doncaster pub conversion plan rejected again

All 10 councillors on the planning committee rejected proposals to convert the now closed Millstone pub on West Gate in Tickhill into four flats and a shop. The prospective tenant is thought to be Co-op.

Objectors raised the issues of the effect on town centre business and traffic safety due to delivery lorries in the small car park.

Tickhill Town Council member Peter Walker said: "Allegedly, to alleviate concerns in relation to traffic from both deliveries and shoppers, plus potential visitors to the Mill Dam area in season, two parking spaces have been removed.

"This will exacerbate the problems within the car park and on the main road driven by the inevitable increased pressure on remaining spaces.

"This is in addition to the site's proximity to a dangerous bend and bus stop with no adequate secured crossing point."

It is the third time the application has been before councillors. The first hearing in February was deferred for a site visit.

The plan was heard again in May with four flats and fewer parking spaces.

Graham Raynor, the agent on behalf of applicant Lazurus Properties, said: “Rather than appeal the previous decision, we felt appropriate to enter discussions with the council in a view to submitting an amended application to address councillors’ concerns.

“A professional landscaping and planting scheme has been submitted with no adverse comments from council officers.

“We decided to submit a legal agreement which will ensure landscaping is secured before the retail unit opens.

“The number of flats has been reduced hence the reduction in parking and that will allow an improved area and maneuver for delivery lorries.”

Responding to the councillors’ comments on pedestrian safety, head of planning at DMBC Roy Sykes said: “We cannot move on the assumption of hunches on what might happen in the future.

“It needs to be evidence-based to back it up.”

Rossington and Bawtry councillor Mick Cooper said in response: “There is nothing new in this latest application that allays my fears over traffic safety on a bad right-angled bend and a proposal with a poor landscaping scheme.

“In my previous job consulting the council on landscaping, I would not allow this.”