Plans to develop a vacant 65-year-old public house in North Shields into a petrol station have been criticised by 160 objectors.
The Redburn public house in Percy Main closed its doors for the last time in January this year. Now plans have been submitted to North Tyneside Council to demolish the former watering hole and replace it with a petrol station.
However, some residents are up in arms at the prospect and 160 locals have already signed a petition opposing the plans.
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Neighbours to the pub, Christine and Tony Paolozzi, of Brackley Grove, set up the petition believing a new petrol station will create traffic chaos and increase anti-social behaviour.
Christine said: "It's going to be a nightmare. Why couldn't they put some flats there or something, this is a residential area. This is a lovely little Grove.
"There's only one way into the petrol station and traffic at the bottom of the lane is going to create havoc for us. And then you've got the kids walking to school.
"And then you've got the kids who go into the convenience store at all hours. We've already got a petrol station in Chirton we don't need another one."
Documents submitted to the council by the applicant, Eston Service Station Ltd, state the development will benefit residents and improve the community.
One document read: "The site is currently occupied by a vacant unviable public house as well as a number of unfinished buildings. The proposed amendment will provide a visual improvement to the site and the modern environmental facilities will be suited to meeting the needs of the modern motorist.
"The development will make good use of the land and will create local employment for four full-time and ten part-time staff. We consider that the development would not give rise to any unacceptable consequences for the environment, community, or any other public interest."
Documents from the applicant also detailed how the petrol station and shop will prevent anti-social behaviour and crime.
Measures include internal and external CCTV, steel ram raid posts, and the main door control from the counter complete with a deadlock switch.
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