Homes plan for Gorleston estate pub

A SECOND prominent Gorleston pub is set to make way for affordable housing.

An independent developer from Oulton Broad has submitted plans to Great Yarmouth Borough Council to demolish the Cap & Gown in Magdalen Way and build 15 homes on the site.

The houses would then be sold to Flagship Housing Group to provide homes for people on the borough council's housing waiting list.

Chris Beckett, an architect for the developer, said a terrace of 12 three and four-bedroom homes would be built in an L shape, facing Magdalen Way and Magdalen Square. The other two three-bedroom homes will be built at the back of the site, facing Windsor Way.

Mr Beckett said: “Obviously, it was not my decision. It was down to my client, but the pub was not doing very well. There was a lot of vandalism and it just was not paying its way.”

The 50-year-old pub closed in October, blamed on the effects of the economic downturn, the smoking ban and vandalism incidents, leaving the Magdalen estate without a venue for community events.

Since then the pub has been derelict, surrounded by iron railings with silver boards covering the windows.

Speculation had grown on the estate about whether it would be reopened or used for another purpose, such as a community centre.

But the developer, who did not wish to be named, said: “I think 90pc of the people I have spoken to in that area said they were glad to see that the pub had gone. It closed because it was not a profitable pub.”

In January, the Mercury reported how the White Horse pub in Beccles Road was set to be demolished and redeveloped as 10 town houses and nine flats by building firm HBC Enterprises.

These homes are aimed at first-time buyers looking to get on the housing ladder.

The borough council has yet to make a decision on both sets of plans.

This week the landmark mural on the side of the Cap & Gown was taken down and has been taken away to be stored safely while another home is sought.