'Utterly, mindbogglingly nuts': Turning a Derbyshire pub into flats without parking sparks outrage

Turning a Derbyshire pub into flats without parking has been called “utterly, mindbogglingly nuts”.

At a South Derbyshire District Council this week, plans to turn the former Railway Inn in Station Road, Hatton, into three extra flats – totalling four overall – were approved following the casting vote of the Labour chairman.

Councillors had discussed the plans in December but deferred a decision to give Derbyshire County Council and the applicant, A Harrison, time to reconsider parking provisions.

Following that delay, the county council has said no parking is required due to the site being close to the railway station and there being off-street parking nearby.

The applicant said there is not enough space to provide parking on site, because vehicles would not have enough room to turn around.

District council officers said national policy was to prioritise plans with a “default yes” for developing land around railway stations.

Planning documents say the pub formally closed in August 2024 and advertised for sale since October, without success.

Councillor David Muller, speaking on behalf of Cllr Julie Patten, said: “Little or no regard is being given to the views of the people of Hatton.

She claimed the county council was “shirking” its responsibilities by not insisting that parking is provided.

Cllr Kalila Storey said: “I support heritage buildings and old pubs and it is better if it is converted and used for something rather than sitting empty. There is parking nearby, not as we would wish it, I live in a terraced property and it is frustrating when you come home and there is no spot, but I moved into the property knowing that.”

Cllr Grahame Andrew said the closest parking facilities were for Nestle workers, the Co-op supermarket and a district council car park up the street “which is habitually full”.

He said: “We can’t really be buildings in villages where you can’t operate without a car. This doesn’t make any sense.

“The railway is a glorified bus stop. I don’t see how this is acceptable. People need a car to live in these villages.”

Cllr Alan Jones said: “We are dealing with a building which already does not have parking spaces. We would need to demolish the building to build a car park. There are already buildings in the district that have been turned into housing without parking, such as the Tollgate roundabout in Woodville.

“If we are going to provide an alternative use for this, we are going to have to accept there will be no parking.”

Cllr Andrew Kirke said: “Just because it didn’t have parking spaces previously doesn’t mean it won’t need it for its future use.

“It is delusional to expect people to park in the council car park up the street. People will park in the street taking up room and causing an obstruction.

“If their place of work is not on the train line or bus route then they will need a car.

“This is irresponsible and delusional and will exacerbate a common problem in Hatton.”

Cllr Daniel Corbin said: “This is nuts, this is absolutely nuts. 

“This is a disused pub and we need a new use for it, but this is a nightmare.

“People are going to end up parking closer to Church Broughton rather than near their own home.

“It is utterly mindbogglingly nuts.”

Councillors were deadlocked at six votes for and six votes against, with Cllr Malc Gee, the Labour chairman, using his casting vote to approve the plans.