By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A Nottingham pub which partially burnt down in a suspected arson attack will be demolished almost immediately.
The Bakersfield on Oakdale Road went up in flames on Wednesday, September 11 in what police suspect was a deliberate fire.
A planning application had already been submitted to replace it with 13 family homes and a block of supported living flats. Nottingham City Council approved the proposal today (Wednesday, September 18) at a planning meeting.
Developer Hockley Developments Ltd says the derelict pub will now be knocked down as soon as possible in the interests of safety.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue say the fire was probably started deliberately on the first floor and spread to the roof, which has mostly been destroyed.
The Bakersfield is now structurally unsound with the gables exposed, leaving it at risk of falling down in bad weather.
It is now boarded up and secured to prevent any further vandalism.
The pub has been closed since 2021, and was said to be in a poor state even before the fire.
The new development will provide detached and semi-detached family homes, and eight one-bed apartments.
Members of the planning committee unanimously supported the application.
Councillor Kirsty L Jones (Lab) said: “The homes aren’t classed as affordable, but any housing is good, and supported living accommodation is very needed in this city.
“It’s a big improvement to what it was beforehand.”
Councillor Kevin Clarke (Ind) said: “There have been some concerns from neighbours about anti-social behaviour on the playing field to the north.
“We need a good boundary between them – if left as is, you will get people straying off park into estate and casing problems in the futrue.
“But I’m quite impressed with it overall.”
Detective Sergeant Chris Mavers of Nottinghamshire Police said after the fire: “Our investigations are at an early stage but initial indications suggest this fire was started deliberately.
“Arson is an extremely serious offence that can lead to tragic consequences, so we will be working hard to find out who is responsible.
“Derelict sites such as the building targeted in this incident can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important that people stay away.
“We’d urge anyone with any information, or relevant footage of the incident, to get in touch with officers.”
The pub had been run by Admiral Taverns Ltd, who had originally hoped to find a new landlord.
However, the planning documents say: “After reviewing the losses this particular pub was making and the very weak turnover, they realised there was no hope of getting anyone to take on a new lease here without huge investment in the pub, which would not give a suitable return on investment.”
Anyone with any information on the fire should call police on 101, quoting incident 633 of 11 September 2024, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
