CONTROVERSIAL plans for a pub in the Castlefields area of town have been left in the pump over concerns about child safety.
The proposals include a children’s play area which would front onto Newport Road at a point where there have been accidents.
Councillor Ann Edgeller said: “I don’t like the idea of the play area being near Newport Road. It’s in the wrong place.
“I have seen cars in ditches round that corner. I’m not going to sit here and put the children in the borough under that safety issue.”
Councillor Bill Simpson proposed the application be approved but later withdrew it in favour of referring it back to the applicant.
He said: “The company is taking a great gamble on this. We should welcome it because it’s going to create employment for people in Stafford town which we need.”
Councillor Ian Hollinshead said: “I agree it’s good for the town but having a children’s play area right next to a main road with only a fence separating it does give me cause for concern. I’m in a bit of a quandary.”
Councillor Geoff Rowlands said: “I regularly travel along that road and it’s not very often the fence is in place. I do share concerns of putting the play area close to the road.”
Speaking for the application at a meeting of Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee Helen Binns said 82 per cent of people who had responded to their survey were in favour of the development.
A 140-name petition signed by nearby residents objecting to the development was lodged with the authority.
Objector Alan Wyatt said the windows of nearby houses would be overlooked by people sitting out in the pub’s garden.
“It will be a large and overbearing edifice.”
Ward Councillor Anne Hobbs said: “Greene King should be working more closely with the local residents that this is going to affect.”
The application was referred back to Greene King so they could consider moving the play area to another part of the site.
