A CONTROVERSIAL pub proposed for a city centre riverside site has been dropped at the 11th hour by the developer.

Amec, which is behind Durham's Walkergate regeneration scheme, has abandoned plans for a 600-capacity pub and cafe in Back Silver Street, at the rear of the Town Hall and indoor market.

The company has already won licences for eight premises, mainly pub and restaurants, as part of the Walkergate redevelopment.

However, it wanted another licence for the proposed pub on the banks of the River Wear, which would have been linked to Framwellgate Bridge by a boardwalk.

It was granted planning approval by the city council, but, following objections from the City of Durham Trust and residents, Durham's licensing justices refused a licence application at a hearing in February.

Amec lodged an appeal against the justices' decision, which was listed to be heard at Durham Crown Court tomorrow.

But opponents were pleasantly surprised to receive news from Amec solicitors, McKenzie Bell of Sunderland, earlier this week, informing them that the appeal has been abandoned.

An Amec spokesman said: "The appeal against the refusal of a licence for the Back Silver Street site has been withdrawn for technical reasons, and to allow more thought to be given to the proposal."

Roger Cornwell, City of Durham Trust chairman, said last night: "There are more than enough licences in Durham."

Mr Cornwell said that the trust and its supporters would now concentrate their efforts on the appeal against the Brown's Boathouse pub development plan, proposed by Left Bank Developments, which will be heard at the Town Hall, starting on October 17.