Concern over Co-op plans in Annesley Woodhouse

Supermarket bosses have submitted plans to Ashfield District Council to demolish the former General Havelock Inn on Skegby Road and build a new Co-op branch.

But at a meeting organised by ACCESS (Annesley Community Committed to Ensuring Sustainable Settlements) on Thursday evening, villagers raised objections to the plans.

They said that the new shop could result in an increase of traffic and may have a detrimental impact on existing shops in the area.

In addition, concerns were raised about the 24-hour cash machine which residents said could become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

Bob Collier, who is vice-chairman of ACCESS, said the shop would have a ‘negative effect’ on the community.

He said: “We have got a massive problem with parking on Skegby Road because of the doctors’ surgery.”

He also said people were worried it would threaten independent businesses.

“We’re talking about people losing their jobs,” he said.

“We believe that as a community we have got everything we want.”

The group’s chairman Peter Olko added: “We welcome any movement which will regenerate what is a neglected public house - but from the meeting attended last week by members of the public the application’s disadvantages outweighed any positive contributions.”

He added that ACCESS planned to submit the former pub, which was converted from a farmhouse in the 1800s, to the council’s heritage asset list.

Chad contacted the Co-op but no-one was available for comment yesterday.

A decision is expected to be made by the planning committee by 21st March. Full details of the application can be seen by searching for V/2013/0032 on the council’s website.