Pub to store and flats plan ‘should be approved’ despite 200 objections

Councillors are being asked to approve a controversial application to convert a former Doncaster pub into a convenience store and flats.

Planning officers at Doncaster Council want elected members to approve a bid to transform the former Millstone Hotel on Westgate, Tickhill, into a store and five flats.

Co-op are understood to be the tenant interested in taking up the space.

The properties include three one-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom flats and 21 parking spaces. A partial demolition of an outbuilding is also set to take place alongside the erection of a new external stairway and extension.

Councillors will make the final decision on Tuesday, May 26.

The application itself has received nearly 200 objections from residents – many are in favour of the flats but fear the convenience store aspect of the plan will harm the viability of local businesses in Tickhill town centre.

The council has received 45 letters of support for the application.

Councillors in a previous meeting earlier in the year were conflicted on the impact on the town centre and road safety concerns. The meeting was deferred for more involvement from the highways team.

Another consultation took place with the council’s highways teams and a meeting was held with the applicant and agent.  No objections were raised from the teams on the proposed development.

Objector Rod Broad said: “The village cannot support a supermarket as it already supports three newsagents, three convenience stores, two butchers, a fresh fish shop, a fruit and veg shop and a card shop.

“How greedy can supermarkets be? Some retailers have traded for 40 years plus only to see a bleak future if this application is granted.

“Pubs are changing to supermarkets and (this happened) to the Star at Barnby Dun. This trend has to stop as they are killing local communities.”

Representation from Tickhill Town Council welcomed the properties but took issue with the convenience store aspect of the plan.

Maxine Booker, the council clerk, said: “Current retailers report that their businesses operate on the margins of profitability.

“The presence of a supermarket outside the town centre could well undermine, if not destroy the viability of the core business area.

“This is not a case of resistance to competition – if it was, it would not be the business of the town council – but of concern for the whole character of Tickhill as a market town with flourishing local shops.”

DMBC planning officer Joseph Perkins, said: “This report demonstrates that there are no material planning considerations that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the social, economic or environmental benefits of the proposal.

“The development would not cause undue harm to neighbouring properties, trees, local centres, the highway network or the wider character of the area.”