Former Stoke pub site "represents over-development"

BB Staffordshire Developments originally applied to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to turn the pub building into 12 flats, which was granted in 2014.

But now the development company have applied once again to build homes in the car park of the venue, which closed in 2012 after years of hosting live music events.

According to the plans, which are to go to the full planning committee for approval, the two blocks would be parallel to each other with a shared access road running centrally between them and gardens to the rear.

Petition

A petition, signed by 60 local residents, has been submitted to the council to object to the application, which includes the removal of trees at the site.

One resident objected because the building will “spoil the view”. Many cited their reason as “nature” and others commented “oxygen”.

Another objection said that because the 11 properties include en-suite shower rooms to all bedrooms, they are "obviously intended for sale to investors for letting as houses in multiple occupation rather than as family dwellings" and as such represent over-development.

It adds that this is likely to "substantially increase traffic movement and pressure on parking provision".

Historical

The Stoke Sentinel​ reported that pub historian Mervyn Edwards said: “The Queens was a Basford landmark. It goes back to about 1770 in its original form and there wouldn’t have been many other landmarks in Basford at that time.

“A lot of people were very sad to see it go. It was a popular place for people to go and socialise."