By Hannah Bryan, Reporter (Darlington)

APPLICATION: The Kings Arms, in Great Stainton, near Sadberge

PLANS to demolish part of a country pub to make way for three houses have been met with opposition.

An application to demolish the single-storey restaurant at the Kings Arms, in Great Stainton, near Sadberge, and replace it with three two-storey terraced houses has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

The pub, which has been closed for a number of months, is a Grade II listed building and, as a result, an application for listed building consent has also been submitted.

The applicant, Craig Robinson, was granted permission last May to build three detached houses on land to the rear and side of the pub, but only two have so far been built.

The latest proposals have been met with some opposition from nearby residents, and a parish meeting will be held tonight (Friday, June 5) to gather views from the villagers.

Councillor Brian Jones, who represents the Sadberge and Whessoe ward on Darlington Borough Council, said: “We believe it to be an unsuitable development and certainly the listed building consent is of extreme concern.

“There is concern that these properties are out of keeping with the village and they are going to be reducing the car parking area so there will be parking on the roads and highway, which is an unlit road.”

The proposal has so far attracted one letter of objection from two nearby residents who bought their house opposite the Kings Arms in August last year.

They said they were disappointed to learn of the proposal, and added: “This pub facility certainly enhanced the setting and consequently the value of our property.

“To no longer have this function is very disappointing and to watch the clear disregard by the owner, who has let the pub run down, has been incredibly disheartening.

“Now learning the plans proposed for the site, it has become apparent why the right investment and resource was not made to continue the pub and restaurant as the growing concern that it once was.”

The letter also states the application disregards normal guidance given about the development of a listed property.

“Losing the village focal point and community offering is highly saddening; replacing it with the proposed plans is highly concerning,” they added.

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