PLANS to demolish a landmark Warwick pub have been given the go-ahead despite a raft of objections.
Approval has been given by Warwick District Council’s planning committee to knock down historic The Great Western on Coventry Road and build four town houses in its place.
The Victorian pub near the railway station closed in the summer of 2015 and has stood empty since. In 2017 it was gutted by fire following a suspected arson attack.
Before the fire plans had been previously granted for the red brick building to be converted into apartments. Warwick Town Council and former mayor John Holland both wanted to see the conversion plans go-ahead.
Warwick District Council had received 70 objections to the recent application – a number of which also wanted to see the original building retained and converted.
Other concerns raised ranged from the town houses being out of character with the area, and there being too many car parking places included within the proposals.
The report to councillors who will considered the application said: “The loss of any public house is unfortunate, however the use of buildings can evolve and change over time and it also considered important to secure an appropriate new use for the building.”
The report added the building is not listed and is not within the conservation area, and following the fire only the shell of the building remains.
