A ONCE thriving but now derelict pub is to be developed into a hotel for contract workers after the green light from councillors.

Members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee voted by seven to three in favour of converting the Princess Alice, in Normanby Road, South Bank.

Once complete the building will contain 14 bedrooms and a “social space”, while a store for bicycles will be added to the rear.

Plans for the site were drawn up by agent Harkin Associates on behalf of applicant Peter Hall and described as giving a refresh to a building in need of repair and attention.

The same applicant recently failed with a bid to convert the nearby former ‘Fat Katz’ nightclub in Middlesbrough Road so it could accommodate 30 bedsits, despite planning officers’ recommending approval.

Planners said the proposed change of use for the two-storey Princess Alice was acceptable and would bring a vacant property back into use.

But unlike with the Fat Katz application, this time the majority of councillors on the committee agreed with their recommendation, voting in favour.

Two South Bank ward councillors spoke against the pub conversion, which will see a single storey extension to the rear of the property demolished.

Councillor Sandra Smith said there was already plenty of accommodation for single people in the area and the demand instead was for good quality family accommodation and bungalows.

She said: “It is obvious that this building is not located in an appropriate place to be turned into large scale residential accommodation. 

“It is a matter of metres from the busy A66 and with no garden or any outside space. 

“This type of accommodation can create problems within the local area, contributing to an unbalanced and unsustainable community, with potential loss of community cohesion. 

“I believe this is likely to be the case in this instance.”

Councillor Sue Jeffrey said she wanted to know how the new property would be run and how the owners would ensure it did not become a focus for anti-social behaviour.

She asked: “What ongoing liaison will there be with the community so that we can bring up concerns as they arise?”

It was suggested that a ‘management plan’ for the contractors hotel could be agreed with the council, but this was rejected on the grounds it would be difficult to police such an agreement.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Jeffrey said she believed this was a “missed opportunity”.

Some members of the committee argued there would be contractors based at the nearby Teesworks industrial site in need of quality accommodation and that by having people temporarily stay in South Bank they would spend money in the surrounding area.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service attempted to contact Harkin Associates and Mr Hall for comment, but they could not be reached.