Plans to convert pub into 20 flats rejected

Chesterfield borough councillors had been approached to approve plans to convert the vacant Elm Tree Inn

Plans to convert a former pub into 20 flats have been rejected by councillors who raised concerns over people's ability to park on the site.

Permission had already been granted for a conversion of the Elm Tree Inn, in High Street, Staveley, Derbyshire, into 23 apartments in 2017.

But that permission had lapsed, causing the applicant to reapproach Chesterfield Borough Council with a reduced scheme.

Councillors turned down the proposal at a planning committee meeting on Monday.

Councillors felt an inability to park on the site would create problems

Group leader in development management Paul Staniforth said the town centre location of the proposed development made it appropriate for a "car-free scheme".

"Given that there are numerous opportunities for parking within the centre of Staveley and more importantly, because it is in the centre of Staveley there are other modes of transport," he said.

"You wouldn't necessarily need to have a vehicle to live in this location."

However, resident Sarah Kench said she had worked in social housing for 25 years and in her experience, families preferred houses with parking and outdoor space.

She said: "I do not agree that people don’t need cars – these people will come and live here but where are they going to work?"

Councillor Paul Mann echoed her concerns, while councillor Ray Catt said: "At the end of the day, you're building flats with no parking spaces and then making the comments that there's other forms of transport, which are really non-existent, we know that."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the plans were rejected on the basis that it was an over-development of the site and the inability to park there would create parking problems, leading to highway safety issues.