Sir,
With reference to the Crown Inn - I lived in Penally for 15 years prior to moving to the north of England six years ago and knew the pub well (especially the beer garden with our dog). It is a large site and in a splendid location for redevelopment.
However, I noted that the Penally Community Council would prefer that they be sold as permanent dwellings and not second homes/holiday lets and that a percentage should be sold as affordable housing.
If I was a developer, I would obviously want to maximise my profit, as that is what business is all about. With these restrictions in place, I would have no interest whatsoever. Why mix private housing with affordable housing?
I would never purchase a property knowing that my next door neighbour could have been relocated there for anti-social behaviour by the local council. It happens here.
Planning permission is very rarely granted for new developments unless a percentage is given over to social housing. People will simply not buy and the builder goes into administration. Years ago there was a private and public sector (i.e. council estates) and life was very simple.
I have not been to Penally for six years and assume the Crown is closed. Is it dilapidated and an eyesore? If so, then build houses as second homes or holiday lets, as it can only be an improvement. I can remember several holiday homes in Penally and they were not a problem.
Spare a thought for people born in London and the South East. They do not have a hope of owning their own property. Let common sense prevail.
Bill Nightingale,
Scarborough.