Former pub 'saved' from demolition and housing plan

The Ambition Lawrence Weston community group set up the Save Our Giant Goram Campaign and had tried to buy the site from the developer

A former pub earmarked for demolition and redevelopment has been given a lifeline.

Property developers Hawkfield Homes hoped to turn the Giant Goram pub, on Barrowmead Drive in Lawrence Weston, into eight houses and a "micro pub".

However, Bristol City Council have deferred a decision on granting planning permission, with refusal likely to follow, after they heard from locals and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as to why the site should be saved.

A final decision is likely to be made at the next planning committee meeting on 23 October.

'Poor state'

The Ambition Lawrence Weston community group set up the 'Save Our Giant Goram Campaign' and had tried to buy the site from the developer but their bid was rejected.

The pub, which closed five years ago, is now in a poor state and has frequently been targeted by vandals.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), councillors said fences around the pub were easy to squeeze through and climb over and developers had made "little apparent effort" to keep the building safe.

Representing the developer, Paul Jobson said misleading statements from objectors which suggest they [developers] deliberately damaged and vandalised the property, including suggestions that contractors had been appointed," were "categorically not true".

During the meeting on 4 September, councillors questioned whether a full-sized pub would be economically viable.

A report written by consultants, paid for by the developers, said the pub would not be able to make enough money to stay open, although serious doubt was thrown on how valid these claims were.

Noise complaints

The lack of alternative pubs nearby was also mentioned, with councillors questioning whether a "micro pub", which has space for around 16 people at a time, would be able to fulfil planning rules which aim to protect pubs in local neighbourhoods due to their role in bringing people together.

The micro pub, which would be built next to one of the new houses, would not be protected from noise complaints made by neighbours.

While pubs and clubs are protected from licensing reviews, under the "agent of change rule", this would not apply for the micro pub, as it would open around a year after the eight houses were constructed, threatening its long-term future.

The committee voted to defer a decision on granting permission, to give planning officers time to draft reasons to refuse the plans.