Campaigners take pub fight to committee meeting (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Campaigners take pub fight to committee meeting

7:30am Sunday 9th January 2011 in News

OPPONENTS to a scheme to pull down a Chelmsford pub are set to make their views felt at a planning meeting.

The controversial application for the Marsham Arms site, in Waterhouse Lane, has been recommended for approval by planning officers of Chelmsford Council.

The proposal is for the redevelopment of the pub to provide five flats, two houses and a retail unit.

A 1,000 signature petition calling for the pub to be retained has been sent in to the council by the Waterhouse Residents’ Association objecting to the scheme and asking why another convenience store is needed in the area.

A total of 64 letters opposing the scheme have also been sent.

Mavis Ring, secretary of the association, said members hoped to get councillors to support a refusal at the meeting.

She said: “This is the only pub on this side of Chelmsford. I am sure if it was advertised it would be more viable.

“I know competition is not a ground for planning refusal, but the convenience stores already here will be under threat if a Tesco moves in.

“The feelings of the community should be taken into account.”

She also said the traffic problems in Waterhouse Lane would be added to if the scheme went ahead. County councillor Jude Deakin added: “Waterhouse Farm is a community not a soulless suburb.

“We need to find ways to nurture that, rather than go along with this application.”

But council officers say in the report, to go before the committee on January 11, that the proposal “demonstrates reasonable compliance with the relevant policies of the Development Plan and is considered to be acceptable”.