AN IPSWICH pub which has served a community for almost 80 years is set to be demolished to pave the way for flats.On Wednesday, Ipswich Borough Council is likely to give the go-ahead to developers to demolish the King's Head, Sproughton Road, and build 22 apartments.
AN IPSWICH pub which has served the Whitehouse community for almost 80 years is set to be demolished to pave the way for flats.
On Wednesday, Ipswich Borough Council is likely to give the go-ahead to developers to demolish the King's Head, Sproughton Road, and build 22 apartments.
Residents in the area have called to save the pub, along with representatives from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) but the green light for the development is set to be given.
The planning application, from Cameron Hamilton Homes, proposes building apartments in an H-shaped block, of two and three storeys. It also lays out plans for 20 parking spaces.
The landlord and owner of the pub, Mr Hughes, said he has no choice but to close the pub because of a fall in trade.
He said he had been trying to make a go of the business for 11 years but had noticed a particular downturn in trade in the past five years.
A spokesman for the council said: “Traditional local neighbourhood pubs of this type seem to struggle in the face of changing trends like more town centre pubs.
“Some objectors have mentioned the loss of this local facility but this local concern does not seem to be matched by the restricted opening hours and apparent level of patronage.
“The recent planning approval of the new local centre for Eastway provides the opportunity for new local community facilities including pubs and bars should the market exist.”
Ipswich and East Suffolk CAMRA has written to the council to express concerns about losing the pub.
It said it is the only community asset in the area and its closure would lead to the loss of football, darts and pool teams.
Residents voiced their worries in August last year, when news of the plans first arose. They said more flats are not needed in the area and they did not want to lose the pub.
Do you think the area needs the flats? Will you be upset to see the pub go? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
The King's Head pub was originally built to serve the sugar beet factory further along Sproughton Road.
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