Scarborough councillors oppose housing plan at Duchess pub

​Scarborough Town Councillors have said they do not want to see ​the Duchess pub at 152 Hovingham Drive, Scarborough, converted into three flats as proposed by RPC Scarborough Ltd.

​The outline proposal for the site, which is near Scarborough Hospital, would include the construction of detached bungalows if it is approved by the planning authority.

​Town councillors said they were opposed to the proposal over a loss of amenity for local residents and proposed setting up an online page to raise awareness of the proposal among the community.

​Cllr Chris Clarke said the company behind the plan had “no track record or experience in the ownership or operation of public houses” and suggested that “the company’s primary focus is not the operation of a public house”.

​Speaking at a meeting of Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee on Wednesday, April 29, he added: “The proposal does not sufficiently demonstrate any sort of commitment by RPC to the continued operation of the premises as a viable public house, and on this basis, I call for refusal.”

​Cllr David Knowles said: “It’s the only pub on that large housing development and because it’s a big pub, it used to do food.

​“So, I don’t think it’s been given a fair crack at the whip in terms of how it’s been promoted and marketed, and it probably could do better.”

At the meeting, committee members voted against the conversion of the pub, which will be decided by the local planning authority.

​However, in a statement submitted as part of the planning application, the pub’s former licensee gave their support to the conversion as the pub “is not commercially viable, and the local community do not view it as a significant community asset”.

​​The ex-licensee said: “The local community did not support the pub and did not appear to view the public house as a community asset in any significant way, and I have heard no significant negative comments following its closure.

​”They also noted that the pub “barely broke even”.

​​Submitted plans state that the proposed development would retain the existing building’s scale and massing with no increase in building height.

​​“The existing two-storey form is retained; this ensures the development remains compatible with neighbouring residential properties.”

​​The applicant said that the conversion of the pub would have positive impacts, including a reduction in noise associated with pub operations, reduced evening and late-night activity, and added that the building would continue to be occupied and maintained.

​​Submitted plans also state that the proposed bungalow development would be located a “sufficient distance away from the Duchess building and adjacent housing”.

​They add: “The proposed bungalow design is in response to the local context and is designed to reflect the scale, form, heights and layout arrangements of the existing buildings.”

​​North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the application which is currently open to representations from members of the public.