Railway Inn site latest

As local people will know, the historic Railway Inn was recently demolished despite local objections. The pub sign now peeks rather sadly above the site hoardings.

The developers then submitted an application for outline planning permission, but South Gloucestershire Council has refused to accept this and asked for full layout details before takinga decision on the application. They have been given until July 6th to provide the extra information, or the planning officer will recommend that the application is turned down.


Yate Town Council has raised concerns about the parking arrangements, and has urged that the new building should be made to match the historic style of nearby premises.

Plans to demolish Railway Inn and barbers

An application has been submitted to South Glos Council to demolish the Railway Inn near Yate Station and the Barber's Shop next door, with a view to redeveloping on the land - but it doesn't say what the redevelopment might be.

This local landmark is almost 200 years old and "locally listed", but that doesn't seem to be adequate protection against redeveloping the site. There's no sign of any effort being made to reuse this historic building, which is part of the character of this old part of Yate.

Even if it's shown that it can no longer be used as a pub, couldn't at least the facade be saved? And of course another local business will go with it, the barbers.

Local Focus Team councillors are objecting to the application - if you want to make your opinion heard, please click on this link for the South Glos planning website and search for application PK17/0445/PND

This is urgent - you'll need to comment by Thursday next week, 23 February. 

There's more coverage from the Gazette here 

Rodford School demolition delays

Cllrs Alan Lawrance and Dafydd Holbrook
checking out the part-demolished site

Local people were concerned when work stopped recently at Rodford School and the site was left in a part-demolished state.

Apparently the demolition contractors have had problems - in particular they've been waiting for British Gas to do the final gas disconnection.

In the meantime South Glos has asked the contractors to tidy up the site, and to dampen it to reduce the amount of dust being produced.

Update 08/04/2011 - The gas has now been disconnected and demolition work has restarted. The last part of the building will be demolished early next week. As well as the fence aound the site, a security patrol will visit in the evening and over the weekend until the site has been fully cleared.