York Guides

(Driffield Post)

Plans to convert The Star Inn at North Frodingham and build new homes sparked controversy last year when they were first lodged by the pub's landlord.

Around 80 villagers turned out to a public meeting in December - but heard that the plans had been withdrawn. Now the plans have been re-submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council with some adjustments to the scheme.

In response, the parish council is staging a public discussion starting at 7.30pm on September 12 at North Frodingham Social Centre - ahead of the scheduled parish council meeting.

Clerk Joy Harris said: "There is more interest in this particular application than any other since I have been doing this job.

"I would have thought that the strength of feeling is the same as at the last meeting - the changes to the first application seem to be quite minor really."

Mrs Harris said opposition to the plans was 'multi-faceted'.
Some residents objected to the closure of the pub, which, along with The Blue Post, is one of two in the village.

Mrs Harris said there was a demand for local facilities.
"The Star Inn is a very nice pub - it is a comfortable pub, where you might like to sit and relax rather than just pop in for a pint," she said

"There have been 67 new houses built in the village in the last five or six years - with all that population coming in, we don't need fewer services, we need more."

Other residents are more concerned with the safety issues such as traffic problems and road safety.

Mrs Harris said the front doors of some of the proposed properties would open straight onto narrow pathways, on a dangerous bend.

Residents have also raised the issue of sewage problems, which have plagued North Frodingham.

"We already have raw sewage running down the roads, which Yorkshire Water is currently investigating.

"This application is for 10 more houses right at this end of the village where the problem is," said Mrs Harris.

Oher people are concerned about any development that would alter the appearance of the historic heart of the village - the 18th-century pub is next to the village's market cross.

Some residents have questioned the suitability of the proposed development for the village - and asked where the new residents could find work.

In a letter to the Driffield Post, Diana Backhouse said: "People who have to commute long distances have neither the time nor the energy to join in with village life.

"Also, people coming into the countryside want space, not to be crammed in like a tin full of sardines. This type of development is for the large towns or cities where jobs, shops and entertainment are all on the doorstep," she said.

However some villagers believe the pub's landlord should be able to do what he wants with the building.
Villagers will be given chance to have their say at the public meeting.

Coun Jane Evison, who represents the East Wolds and Coastal ward on ERYC said she would be attending the meeting - and that she had invited representatives from Yorkshire Water and ERYC's highways department to attend.

Coun Evison said: "I am aware that there is a strength of feeling about the application and there are great concerns over the highway safety issues as this site is on a junction that gives concern anyway.

"There is also the ongoing problem with the sewage that I have been involved with Yorkshire Water for the past year trying to sort out.

"I am also concerned that at a time when we are supposed to be trying to sustain local and village facilities, this application would mean the end of the village pub," she added.

The Driffield Post contacted Fining Associates, the York-based agent for the applicant, but they did not want to comment at this stage.