Crime fears see plans for ex-hotel site refused
BBCPlans for two drive-through restaurants on the site of a derelict hotel have been refused over fears they would lead to further crime in the area.
The building, formerly home to Thornaby's Golden Eagle, has been empty for several years and subjected to arson and vandalism attacks.
Set to be knocked down later this year, town centre owner Proudreed Real Estate Ltd applied for outline planning permission to replace it with two drive-through coffee shops or fast food units.
But Stockton Borough Council officers said the area already had crime and anti-social behaviour issues and the proposed eateries were "likely to generate activity that could increase and exacerbate such incidents".
The seven-storey building on Trenchard Avenue has previously been described by councillors as an "eyesore" with "significant levels of asbestos".
'Large groups of youths'
Cleveland Police objected to Proudreed's plan, pointing to a 91% increase in drug-related incidents over the past year in another area with a similar drive-through.
It warned fast food venues "regularly attract large groups of youths congregating late into the evening" with examples of anti-social behaviour including vehicles being raced or having their engines revved loudly.
Stockton's Liberal Democrats also objected, saying the proposal was not the right type of development for the area as it risked increasing traffic congestion and would see trade taken away from existing businesses.
Stockton Borough CouncilProudreed disputed those claims, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but planning officers said police had showed a "provable connection" to anti-social behaviour patterns.
They ruled the plans were "an unacceptable form of development" and could undermine other regeneration plans for the town - referring to £23.9m government funding partly being used to build a leisure facility and cycle network.
The building was brought under council control in late 2024.
