Village pub near Chesterfield to be demolished for housing despite residents' concerns

A village pub near Chesterfield is to be knocked down to make way for new homes.
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Developers have been given the green light by Bolsover District Council to demolish the Woodman, on Pattison Street, Shuttlewood, and then build eight houses on the land.

This is despite concern from villagers who had hoped to see the site turned into a shop or other facility.

The Woodman pub in Shuttlewood will be demolished to make way for housing.The Woodman pub in Shuttlewood will be demolished to make way for housing.
The Woodman pub in Shuttlewood will be demolished to make way for housing.
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In a letter sent to the council, resident Susan Hogg said she ‘strongly objects’ to the planning application.

“We have suffered from constant noise, dust, dirt and stress for the last two years from the building site adjacent to Pattison Street,” she added.

“To agree to this new planning application would mean that the elderly and vulnerable residents of Pattison Street would have yet more noise, stress and mess to contend with which is totally unacceptable.”

She said that there are not enough facilities such as shops and GP surgeries in the area and added: “Surely the Woodman site would be far better utilised as a small shop for all of the new residents of Shuttlewood?

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“Currently, we have to get into our cars and drive up to Bolsover to buy a pint of milk.”

Bolsover District Council case officer Karen Wake said: “The issue of noise and disturbance for local residents is noted, but is not considered to be significant on such a small site where such noise and disturbance will be of a temporary nature.

“The use of the site for a shop cannot be considered as the site is privately owned and the owner cannot be forced to provide a particular type of development.

"The council has to consider the proposal in front of it. The loss of the community facility is considered in the assessment.”

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Developers Bayliss Avenue Ltd say their proposal will see the demolition of the existing pub building and the construction of eight, three-bedroomed and three-storey homes, with two parking spaces for each at the front and private gardens to the rear.

They described the scheme as ‘a high-quality design’.

"The fresh face of the proposal injects new life into what is now a run-down site,” the developer’s statement added.

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