Lenton divided as abandoned pub set to be converted into flats

Plans to turn an abandoned pub in Lenton into almost 30 flats have been met with a mixed reaction from residents.
The Grove pub in Castle Boulevard, formerly known as the Grove Hotel, has been vacant for many year and planning permission for the project is expected to be granted.
Developers Carlton St Trading/Bmor Ltd want to convert the existing building into 27 one or two-bedroom apartments, as well as adding a three or four storey extension.

Nottingham City Council planning officers noted these apartments could be occupied by up to two students per unit without needing permission, but the proposal is not typical of student accommodation.
Residents had mixed opinions on the plans for the three-storey pub, which was built in the 19th century.
George Loxley, 25, a University of Nottingham PHD student who lives in Lenton, said: "It is a shame because big, old pubs are a part of our culture and I bet this used to be a great place to go to back when it was open.
"Also for a student area there's not really many large places like this for drinking or just having fun in this part of Lenton.
"It's a good place for housing though location wise and the size of it means that you could probably get a fair few people in there.
"I think some of the neighbours might struggle with parking but as long as something takes its place I think overall it is a good idea.
"I can not really imagine what else would go there, apart from maybe turning it into a supermarket because I always think that makes for an interesting building like the Tesco over the road."

Ali Ahmed, 40, who works as a taxi driver and lives in Grove Road, which runs alongside the derelict pub, said: "With just residential or even if it turned into student flats in the future, the big problem would be parking.
"It is usually okay down here but it could be trouble if lots of people are moving here.
"I would hope that these flats that are being built there will be high quality and not bring problems to the road.
"

The building should not have been left to get as it is, but I am glad there's not a pub there anymore though because as a driver I see enough drunk people at work and I don't want people shouting down the street."

Cameron Baker, 19, a student at NTU who lives in Lenton, said: "I mean it shouldn't be left like that, there's broken windows and shoes hanging over telephone wires. It doesn't look nice for people coming past.
"It's sad that it's a bit of a tip when it's such a big place on the corner, I don't see why it being flats could be any worse than it is.
"It will at least tidy it up a bit you'd think."

The plan has been recommended for approval by officers at Nottingham City Council and a planning committee will meet to make a final decision next week.
A previous application for a 38-bedroom student scheme, including the retention of the pub on the ground floor and a three-storey extension, was refused in 2018.

This was due to the impact that the proposal would have on the community. That decision was later upheld at appeal.
As a Build to Rent Scheme the current application is aiming to house employees at the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham University rather than students.
The applicant is currently in discussion with Nottingham City Homes to manage the properties.