Plans to turn a former Doncaster pub plagued by crime into a food store have been unanimously approved by councillors.

The applicant, listed only as Mr N Griffiths, applied to convert the former Cantley Lodge pub on Acacia Road with associated parking and landscaping.

Reports show the former pub attracted a ‘high level of crime’ and there is an ‘opportunity to restore economic activity’ to the site.

A food convenience store is thought to be the most likely outcome for the site but no interested tenant has come forward at this time.

placeholder image — Cantley Lodge pub in Cantley

The former pub hit the headlines in 2017 when three people were injured in a drive-by shooting. South Yorkshire Police said the incident was a ‘targeted attack’.

The force also sent its support to the council in the development and said officers attended the pub on a number of occasions, including for ‘offences of violence towards staff and between customers’.

It added that cooperation from staff towards the attending officers ‘was lacking on most occasions’ and the incidents of crime and disorder were factor in it closing.

The scheme has received 13 objections from residents, mainly on the grounds that the community would lose a social gathering spot.

Others said the pub could be made successful under new ownership and the proposed store would be harmful to nearby businesses.

Ward councillor Nick Allen said he supported the application adding that Cantley would benefit from a retail store.

He said: “I completely support this proposal for a change of use.

“To reiterate, some of the anti-social problems that have taken place in Cantley with this pub over the recent time has been a real nightmare for people.

“There have been some very harrowing upsetting events taken place there which have had a real negative impact on the quality of life of residents.

“I think giving it a chance as a small scale supermarket type store or something like that, that could really benefit the community.”

Planning officer Jacob George, said: “The potential to bring a vacant building back into use and restore economic activity at the site is considered to outweigh the loss of a community facility which is currently unused.

“On balance of the material considerations, it is felt that a refusal would be unjustified and the proposal is recommended for approval accordingly.”