Supported housing in a former pub will be allowed to keep operating – despite complaints about anti-social behaviour and a four-year council investigation.

The former Weston Coyney Arms was turned into supported accommodation for up to 11 adults with mental health issues in 2020, but following complaints from neighbours, council officers found that this use was not permitted under its existing planning permission for residential.

Complainants called for the Weston Coyney Road facility to be shut down, saying residents there had been abusive and violent while under the influence of monkey dust, with some incidents even involving residents being naked and having sex in nearby woodland. But the planning committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council has now voted to grant retrospective planning permission for the building's change of use to specialist supported housing, following an application from owner Triple Point Social Housing REIT Plc.

The permission will allow Triple Point to keep nine of the flats in the building in use as supported housing, with two being converted into communal space for residents or staff. Planning officer Kerry Mee told the committee that after the enforcement investigation had commenced, the council had aimed to be 'constructive and positive' in its engagement with Triple Point, which had eventually resulted in an application that could be recommended for approval.

Councillors have granted retrospective planning permission for supported housing in Weston Coyney (Google).

But Weston Coyney councillor Ross Irving, who objected to the application, said there was a belief in the community that planning officers had been working 'hand in glove' with the applicants. He said that when planning permission was granted to turn the pub into flats in 2019, he was given assurances that there were no 'after-use proposals' and that the flats would be sold or rented out on the open market, only for the building to be sold to Triple Point the following year.

Cllr Irving said: "We are no in a unique situation where we've had four years of enforcement being attempted. Four years of what is technically a business operating outside the planning regulations. The area has been inundated with anti-social behaviour of the most vile type. People absolutely off their heads on monkey dust. People copulating in the birch wood behind. Residents have been totally frightened to go outside, unable to let their children walk home. People have been knocking on their doors while under the influence of drugs, asking for money.

"This is in a residential suburb of this city. I fully understand that this type of unit has its place, and no doubt it will improve society as a result. But I ask members to consider whether this is the right situation for a unit for people with the sort of problems that residents there have."

John Brooks from planning consultants WSP, representing Triple Point, told the committee that his clients had aimed to work with the council and address neighbours' concerns. Mr Brooks said that the purpose of the facility was to allow vulnerable adults to live independent lives while receiving care.

Complainants have called for the Weston Coyney Road facility to be shut down (Google).

He said: "WSP and the applicants have worked very closely with planning officers to address queries and concerns raised by the council and other stakeholders, including consultees and neighbours. Amendments have been made to the scheme, including ceasing the use of two of the units as residential dwellings, and external alterations to add boundary treatments and landscaping to enhance the site's appearance.

"It is noted that many of the objections to the application relate to anti-social behaviour. It is important to note that the majority of incidents raised during consultation related to two specific individuals who moved on from the premises in 2022. Furthermore the care provider has clear protocols for addressing anti-social behaviour. Nevertheless, we apologise for the issues faced in the past. There are measures in place to avoid any similar incidents occurring in future."

Staffordshire Police received 84 reports relating to the premises over a 12-month period, but did not object to the application, as there had been a reduction in incidents. Mr Brooks said that if planning permission was refused, and Triple Point lost any subsequent appeal, the current residents would have to be moved out of the flats.

Committee chair Dan Jellyman proposed a motion to refuse the application, on the grounds that there was insufficient information about the noise impact, and that it was 'inappropriate development in a residential area'. But this motion was voted down, six votes to three.

Committee vice-chair Andy Platt then proposed to accept the officers' recommendation to approve the application, and this was carried six votes to three.

Following the meeting, Cllr Irving said he was 'disappointed, but not surprised' at the decision. He said: "The vote was along party lines, with the Conservatives voting against the application, and Labour voting for it. There has been a reduction in incidents, and hopefully that will continue. But there will be a lot of residents who will be disappointed at the decision."

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