A block of flats is to be built on the site of a former Dunstable pub which was occupied by squatters.
Applicant Woolbro Morris Limited submitted revised plans to demolish The Bird in Hand at 219 High Street North in the town.
The premises will be replaced with a block of 35 flats, according to a report to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.
There will be 20 one-bed and 15 two-bedroom apartments on the 0.6-acre site, with 38 parking spaces and storage for 74 bicycles, said the report.
Planning officer Peter Vosper said: “This application was deferred in November for a change from a flat roof on the building to a pitched one, as well as a different parking layout to enable delivery vehicles to turn easily.”
Agent for the applicant Mike Lake said: “We’re proposing a high quality scheme of 35 apartments, with seven affordable rent and four shared ownership, in a sustainable location.
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“The pub has suffered from vandalism and anti-social behaviour since its closure.”
His only concern was the position of a crossing outside the site, which has been put in recently by CBC, and “to move it elsewhere might prove difficult as there’s another one nearby”.
CBC’s highways development manager team leader Jethro Punter said: “There’s a limited area in which that crossing could be relocated, but there’s a corridor of land where that could take place.”
Dunstable Town Council objected on the grounds of a potential increase in crime, supporting concerns raised by Bedfordshire Police over a lack of security lighting and fencing.
The applicant provided information about its boundary and lighting proposals around the site to allay these fears, added the report to the committee.
Conservative Dunstable Watling councillor Nigel Young said: “Apparently Bedfordshire Police have dealt with 2,459 incidents in Dunstable High Street in the last two years.
“If we’re going to pay high regard to Peter Knowles’ objections we’re not going to be building anything anywhere, are we?
“I’m pleased Mr Knowles subsequently withdrew his objection based on steps taken by the applicant to limit access from behind the building in particular.”
Councillor Young referred to the main objection from residents as “the loss of a community asset of value”.
But “the pub closed and there was no intention of the owners to reopen it.
“The site has been subject to numerous unlawful incursions. We’ve a derelict building, which is absolutely disgraceful right now.
“It was home to a bunch of squatters for a while, who didn’t treat the interior of the building with the respect it deserved.
“And we’ve benefits coming from application, including affordable housing and homes adapted for disabled residents.
“The contentious zebra crossing is apparently vitally important to national cycle route six to link it with another in Brewers Hill Road, just round the corner,” he added.
“You then join a cycle path which links you to the busway and into Luton.”
Conservative Dunstable Northfields councillor Johnson Tamara described the altered plans as “acceptable to us as ward members” with an extra condition to provide a play area.
Conservative Dunstable Northfields councillor Gladys Sanders agreed, saying: “There was good communication with the applicant and all the issues were addressed, so I support this project.”
Councillors unanimously approved the development with extra signage for HGVs accessing the site, without moving the crossing.
