Former Gloucester pub to be demolished

A once popular pub which now sits empty on the edge of Gloucester city centre could be demolished to make way for 23 flats.

Developer SMH Homes wants to tear down The Brunswick pub, in Park Road, to make way for the new homes in a bold brick-faced design.

The Brunswick used to be one of the city’s great nightspots for students, known for its heavy metal music nights and raucous atmosphere, but owners struggled to make a success of it after the relocation of Gloucestershire College, leading to its closure.

The building is now in a deteriorating state, with stonework visible through its crumbling exterior and the windows of the front door smashed and partially boarded up.

The developer’s proposal is to create a new three and four-storey building consisting of 17 1-beds and six 2-beds, according to a council document.

Under the plans being proposed is a roof terrace above the third story on the west side, six car parking spaces to the rear of the site including one disabled space, and two further spaces accessed of St Michael’s Square.

A design and access statement submitted by the developer to Gloucester City Council said: “The building has been used for a variety of purposes over the years since its original construction.

“The Brunswick pub was established some time in the mid-1980s and was a popular live music venue for the local student population, however the relocation of the Gloucestershire College campus resulted in a significant loss of trade and the pub ceased trading in 2009.

“It briefly reopened and traded between 2012 and 2015 before closing again.

“When the current site was marketed for sale in June 2016 there was one party who was provisionally interested in running the property as a pub however they were unable to secure funding for the project and withdrew their interest.

“Given the condition of the existing building, it’s classification as a ‘negative building’ within the conservation area, and the pressing need for new homes within Gloucester this application concludes that the benefits of redevelopment of the site for social housing provision far outweighs the loss of a derelict pub which has struggled to operate in recent years.”

According to a council document, 111 neighbouring properties were notified but no comments were received.

Council officers have recommended the city council’s planning committee approves that application on November 5, from 6pm.