Derelict former Hucknall pub to be turned into flats

A dilapidated former pub in Hucknall will be transformed into nine flats after developers and council officers said they would work together to solve potential parking problems.

The Yew Tree pub, in Nottingham Road, called last orders for the final time in February this year after reportedly struggling following the Covid pandemic.

It led to new plans being put forward earlier this summer to convert the derelict building into nine self-contained flats spread across three floors.

The building currently has the former pub on the ground floor and a self-contained, three-bedroom flat with living spaces on the first floor.

It also has storage space on the second floor, an external outbuilding to the rear and a basement underneath – which would be closed off under new plans.

The application, put forward by Edward Hall, asked to turn the building into eight one-bedroom and a single two-bedroom flats – all including their own kitchens, living spaces and bathrooms.

Ashfield District Council's planning department recommended councillors should green-light the plans during a planning committee meeting on Wednesday (October 26).

This came despite initial concerns being raised over the lack of parking spaces for the nine flats.

An objection letter was read out by Councillor Lee Waters (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall North, suggesting the application would "exacerbate the problem" of parking in Hucknall.

Nottinghamshire County Council, the local highways authority, did not object to the plans on these grounds, however, making it difficult for councillors to refuse the application.

It led to members asking whether any form of parking could be explored at the site, even if it just included one electric vehicle bay behind the property in the place of the existing outbuilding.

And, despite approving the application during Wednesday's meeting, council officers will now explore this option and work with the applicant to see if this can be achieved.

They will also discuss potential parking restrictions on the pavement outside the building, with Nottinghamshire County Council to be consulted to prevent illegal parking by future tenants or their guests.

And the council has asked the applicant to provide a construction management plan.

The application was approved with six votes for and one against.

Speaking in the meeting, the applicant Edward Hall told councillors: "This is not a [house in multiple occupancy] or a sub-standard accommodation.

"The development comprises entirely of self-contained apartments which would see a vast investment.

"It is located in close proximity to all the contributions of the town centre, parks and transport links.

"Our passion is converting dilapidated buildings such as this and, since The Yew Tree's closure, it has continued to be broken into and has fallen into disrepair.

"We feel there is no alternative to offer the building other than the residential conversion of its entirety.

"This development will add to the aesthetics, bring a dilapidated building back to life whilst adding to the regeneration of the town."

Members of the committee agreed with the principle of the development but questioned whether any car parking could be added.

Councillor Samantha Deakin (Ash Ind), who represents Central Sutton and New Cross, said: "I do have my reservations about parking, it always troubles me when we don't ask for parking in the area.

"But I also don't want to see a derelict building go from bad to worse and that's what's going to happen because it's not going to come back into use as a pub in the current climate.

"I'd rather see it used within the area rather than just falling into disrepair."

Speaking after a long discussion about parking, Christine Sarris, a senior planning officer at the authority, added: "At the moment we've got an empty public house here that is subject to anti-social behaviour.

"We're trying to look at a meaningful use for this building to give it purpose.

"I'm quite happy to go with the idea of trying to manage the external highway to get no parking [on the pavement] and, once I've got clarity, we can go with one parking space [at the rear]."

The committee's chairman and vice-chairman will now be given delegated authority to approve any further plans for the development, including the potential provision of a car parking space.