|
From the
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk 16 Mar 2004 by Richard Simcox.
Pub bulldozed before future can be decided.
A PUB which campaigners were hoping to save has already been demolished
ahead of an inquiry into plans for the site.
Ward councillors and residents are angry the "Seven Stiles," St Mary Cray,
has been bulldozed before a decision is made on developing it into
flats.
A planning inquiry is due to be held early next month and, as we
reported last week, the former boozer has previously been spared
demolition twice during the long-running saga over its future.
But contractors, believed to be working for potential developer
Creighton Trust, moved in several weeks ago and flattened the building
in Ranmore Path.
Councillor John Holbrook, who represents the area with councillors Sue
Gibbens and Colin Willetts, was told by planners they were powerless to
stop the work but he plans to raise the matter at the forthcoming
inquiry.
Cllr Holbrook said: "Our view is the developer should not have knocked
it down before permission is given, morally speaking at least, but it's
a very grey area.
"This adds a whole new dimension to the inquiry."
Though the demolition proposal formed part of the trust's application,
which was rejected and is being appealed, officers say it is not against
planning rules to bulldoze the site ahead of a final decision.
Campaigners, who have fought plans for the pub for more than 18 months,
wanted the original building incorporated into any future development.
A spokesman for St Mary Cray Action Group said: "What concerns us is,
when the area was originally developed, it was with the proviso there
should be a licensed premises there. This is something we will certainly
raise at the inquiry."
Robinson Escott Planning, of Halstead, Kent, is acting as agent for the
trust, which first applied for permission to develop the pub in July
2002.
As News Shopper went to press, Fred Robinson, who has been dealing with
the application for the firm, was unavailable for comment.
|
