Green light is given to demolish Royal George
ANOTHER Loughborough pub is to be demolished and replaced with nearly 30 flats after developers were given the green light.
The Royal George, at The Coneries in Nottingham Road, dates back to the 1930s and is locally listed by Charnwood Borough Council.
Last year, developers Solus Homes Ltd submitted plans to the council seeking permission to demolish the gothic pub to make way for a four-storey L-shaped building accommodating a shop and 29 one and two-bedroom flats.
Now, council officers have granted permission for the development under delegated powers, despite objections from local residents who claimed the flats would result in a loss of privacy and that the pub was a heritage asset and should be preserved.
Opponents also argued the absence of car parking spaces in the scheme would create extra pressure on local roads.
But council officers said in their report: “Whilst the existing building could be used for its original intended use as a public house, there has been a trend for closure of many of the smaller public houses outside of the town centre due to changes in trends in drinking out.
“Its use does not lend itself easily to other uses.
“The loss of the building would result in some detriment to the historic environment.
“However, the building’s heritage significance derives mainly from its architectural qualities as a pleasant corner building with some attractive features.
“The quality of the replacement building at the site does perform an important function in reducing the impact of the loss of the building and its architectural features.
“The council has worked with the applicant to achieve what is considered to be a high-quality replacement building which provides strength to the street presence and represents a contemporary approach.”
Work on the site is set to begin later this year.