ABOUT THIS BLOG

This popular and historic pub was acquired by its owners in 2009 with a view, initially, to building flats for social housing and then subsequently developing a small housing estate. Local residents opposed these plans from the start.

Planning permission was granted in 2010 after which the site was put up for sale. After many years of inactivity, building work finally started in July 2015. Locally, this was seen as good news. However, the houses have yet to be completed.

The aim of this Blog has been to keep residents informed of current developments and to record the long history of this small community's fight to keep its pub.

Sunday, 15 December 2013

That's It

The last remaining vestiges of what had been the George & Dragon were demolished yesterday afternoon.  All that remains is a pile of rubble.

There'll  be no final epitaph from us.  We did this a long time ago as previous posts will bear testimony.  However, we aren't going anywhere.  If anything, the real challenge is only just beginning.  A vacant plot will no doubt soon attract the attention of the less desirable.  The owners have a legal obligation to comply with the provisions of the planning permission and ensure that it remains fenced off and secure until such time as development is completed.  Given the evidence to date, that may be some time off.

In the meantime, residents will need to be vigilant.
at 13:02

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous16 December 2013 at 08:38

    RIP the good old George and Dragon.....destroyed by opportunistic developers and useless undemocratic Stafford Borough Council councillors and employees..
    Let us not hold our breath for any change in future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous17 December 2013 at 11:17

    "As the land is privately owned we have no powers to insist on any form of barriers to the car park"

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8 January 2014 at 11:23

    Having observed the planning event for the Stone (Walton) housing development as an interested party I can assure the Rough Close blog readers that Stafford Borough Council does not only ignore the overwhelming democratic representations made on the Rough Close issue,it seems to ignore any position taken by the public on anything that does not support its agenda.Stone is to get large housing developments with no apparent support from its residents just as Rough Close has lost a much loved asset and gained a housing development with no discernible support from its residents.
    Stafford Borough Council ? Just who do they represent ? It doesn`t seem to be us !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John30 January 2014 at 19:32

      I have a great deal of sympathy with your view. I have actually attended planning meetings where the planning committee (councillors) wanted to support residents' views and refuse an application but were put under pressure by the the planners to approve it. For me, one particular learning point that comes out of the whole episode is the complete absence of democracy at a local level. And with new planning laws coming into effect, things are going to get worse.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous28 January 2014 at 10:51

    In one of my irregular Butters visits I see that the site is still being marketed with a "staged payments offer" cited so methinks no one is queuing to build here yet. Very much as previous commentators said.Expect nothing to happen soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous30 January 2014 at 08:23

    Note to Blogmaster. How about a minor amendment to the visuals of the site ? A before picture (of the G&D) and an after as it is now. That is progress from a Borough council perspective,serving its community !

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    Replies
    1. John30 January 2014 at 13:30

      Thanks for the suggestion. I am in the process of amending the introductory text to reflect the current situation. I did think about changing the main image to black and white as an "in memorium" but I think most would prefer to remember the pub as it was in happier times.Will think about inserting an "after" image just for the record.

      Delete
    2. John14 February 2014 at 17:37

      Before & After duly added.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous6 February 2014 at 09:29

    Interesting contributions,a worthy read as I recall the drive past the storm thrown (mandatory) but very flimsy barriers supposedly protecting the demolition site.It doesn`t look very big for how many houses are planned does it ?
    I am reminded of I think the George Bush Jr statement on the thing that US citizens least want to hear is "I am from the government and here to help you". Translated to Rough Close speak "I am from Stafford Borough Council and we value your opinions"
    Look what good that did.

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    Replies
    1. John13 February 2014 at 14:45

      In a similar vein, a point that continually amuses me is the requirement for local authorities to "consult" local residents.

      I had assumed that this would mean something along the lines of 'ask and engage with'. But if you apply the word literally there is no requirement for them to actually take any notice of what we say just so long as they ask us in the first place. Seems a pretty pointless exercise to me; one that takes up a great deal of time, money and totally ignores local opinion.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous14 February 2014 at 17:34

    Looks like The George and Dragon site has been sold. If u look on John Butters Bee site details are there. Maybe some positive progress for all at last.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John14 February 2014 at 17:49

      Looks like you're right. Well spotted.

      Delete

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