Former pub in Doncaster suburb could become food retail store

Plans to turn a former Doncaster suburb pub into a food store has been submitted to the council for consideration.
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The applicant, listed only as Mr Griffiths, has applied to convert the former Cantley Lodge pub on Acacia Road with associated parking and landscaping.

Reports show the former pub has attracted a ‘high level of crime’ and there is an opportunity to restore economic activity to the site.

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The former pub hit the headlines in 2017 when three people were injured in a shooting. South Yorkshire police said the incident was a ‘targeted attack’.

South Yorkshire Police also sent their support to the council in the development and said officers attended the pub on a number of occasions.

SYP said this included ‘offences of violence towards staff and between customers’.

They added that cooperation from staff towards the attending officers ‘was lacking on most occasions’ and the incidents of crime and disorder were ‘one of the factors in the pub closing’.

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The scheme has received 13 objections from residents in the area, mainly on the grounds that the community would lose a social gathering spot.

Others said the pub could be made successful under new ownership and the proposed store would be harmful to businesses close to the site.

Ward councillor Nick Allen said he supported the application adding that Cantley would benefit from a retail store.

Fellow councillor Neil Gethin ,said there is ‘much interest and differences’ of opinion locally for the best use of the building. But he added that as a pub, the business has struggled since 2017 and given the current Covid-19 conditions, there is ‘uncertainty’ over whether a pub is ‘viable’ in this location.

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Planning officer Jacob George has recommended councillors pass the plan. He said: “The pub has seen a high level of crime incidents in recent years, and there are other community facilities available in Cantley.

“Therefore, the potential to bring a vacant building back into use and restore economic activity at the site is considered to outweigh the loss of a community facility which is currently unused.

“On balance of the material considerations, it is felt that a refusal would be unjustified and the proposal is recommended for approval accordingly.”

Planning committee members will decide on Tuesday, January 4.

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