A member of the campaign to save Cleeve’s demolition-threatened Lord Nelson pub has hit back at criticism of protest signs against the proposed development.
The Lord Nelson is set to be demolished by owner Tout Ltd, with a new complex featuring a convenience store, petrol station, pub café and hair salon built in its place if planning permission can be secured.
Boards reading ‘Tout out’ and ‘no Budgens in Cleeve’ have been placed on the green opposite the pub, and some villagers have labelled them ‘unsightly’ and say they are having a negative impact on the character of the village.
But Don Veale, of the campaign to save the pub, believes ‘the bottom line is a petrol station is the last thing the village wants’.
Mr Veale, of Woodview Drive, said: “A house-to-house survey showed 95 per cent of the village were against such an installation. And we already have a store and hairdressers.
“I really do feel that the signs opposite the Lord Nelson make a point, both to owners Tout Ltd and to passing motorists.
“The signs on display highlight factors like, for example, the safety issues involved, bearing in mind that this is a pick-up and drop-off point for a large number of schoolchildren.
“I agree that they are not exactly works of art, but my understanding is that they weren’t meant to be.
“They are just a loud and clear message that the residents of Cleeve do not want to see their 200-year-old public house demolished to be replaced initially by a building site and, in the longer term, with a store, hairdressers and 24-hour petrol station.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here