Plans to knock down Marlow pub withdrawn - for now (From Bucks Free Press)

Plans to knock down The Plough pub in Marlow withdrawn - for now

2:30pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in News By James Nadal

PLANS to knock down a closed pub near Marlow town centre and replace it with homes have been withdrawn – but developers will come back with a fresh design.

Seven two bedroom flats were proposed for The Plough in Little Marlow Road, which shut recently.

However the firm behind the application has abandoned this design.

Officers were set to rule on the plan this week but they told the developer it would be rejected because it was considered too grand, The Free Press understands.

A new lower key design is now being drawn up.

Various residents have objected to the plans, primarily due to its scale and also parking concerns.

Lionel Johnstone, of Glade Road, Marlow, told planners in a letter he feared his already congested street would be further clogged with extra parking demand and also worried about disruption during construction.

He added: "My final concern is with the sheer scale of the building. A three storey development feels too large and I think will look incongruous with the surrounding area. I'd welcome a scaled down plan with fewer flats and more consideration given to the impact on the surrounding area."

James Gray, of Herons Place, wrote: "We are delighted that the council has approved the change of use to residential, as the pub / nightclub has caused many sleepless nights and is wholly inappropriate for a quiet, built up area.

"Notwithstanding this, we must object to the scale of this proposed development."

Rachel Ashton, of Castleton Court, Marlow, said: "We strongly object to this application because of lack of parking, lack of space, lack of thought for anyone living/working in the area."

No buyers were found when it was put up for sale to retain it as a pub.

With 16 other pubs in Marlow, it was decided the struggling business was no longer viable.

Bowen Evans Consultancy, which has handled the plan for the Plough, said the decline came because of cheap alcohol in supermarkets, high duties, the smoking ban and increasing utility costs and problems with anti-social behaviour.

The company this week confirmed it is looking to lodge a new plan but did not want to comment further at this stage.

- TWO other pubs in Wycombe district have recently gone after councillors approved redevelopment plans.

The Live and Let Live in Booker Common will be extended and converted into homes.

The iconic Wendover Arms in Desborough Avenue, High Wycombe, will be bulldozed and turned into a 46 bedroom hotel.

Both applications were given the green light by Wycombe District Council last week.

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