Councillors have backed plans to demolish a North Staffordshire pub and replace it with nine apartments. It was claimed that the Jolly Potter in Newcastle was no longer commercially viable.

Despite plans being backed unanimously by the planning committee, concerns were raised over the lack of parking at the site. Currently the site only allows for parking for four vehicles however a seven space bicycle store is also included in the plans.

Councillor Richard Gorton (Lab) said that the lack of parking could encourage people to wrongly park and wondered whether the lack of parking would cause unneighbourly behaviour. 

He told councillors: "I understand the principle, if you've got access to good public transport you should encourage people to use it but as we know there is a difference between the theory and practice."

Fellow councillor, John Williams (Lab) wanted to know if provisions could be made that any maintenance fees could be spent on the provision of private car parking arrangements to take the cars off the road.

Despite the plans being backed, concerns were raised over a lack of parking at the site (Nub News).

The Barracks Road site will also include a commercial unit on the ground floor of the four storey building. The site is also located in the town centre conservation area as a result the plans have been changed in line with the conservation officer to include red brick and a whole the building has been reduced by a storey which has resulted in the loss of three apartments.

Planning officer commented: "Officers feel this development would make efficient use of previously developed land that is currently host to a public house but we are satisfied that it is no longer commercially viable to retain that use. It would provide a modest contribution to the council's housing supply in a very sustainable location in the town centre.

"The developers have worked proactively with officers and taken on feedback in terms of the design and impact on the conservation area and officers consider that the resulting design wouldn't have any significant harm to the character or appearance of the conservation area."

Councillor Andy Fear (Con) said that the application had moved in the right direction since being first submitted and was minded to support the application despite some reservations. He said: "There is always a judgement call here.

"My inclination, thinking about the way the building has been finished, how it sits into its environment, would be to support this application."

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