DEVELOPERS hope it will be third time lucky after resubmitting controversial plans to build houses on the site of a historic pub.

Two planning applications to redevelop the Bennett Arms pub in London Road, Chesterton, were abandoned last year following opposition from council planners and hundreds of residents.

Opponents to the schemes, who organised a 229-name petition against the last application, raised concerns over traffic, parking and the loss of open space.

But applicant Glen Geldard, director of Chesterton Development Company, believes the new proposals address these issues.

The current plans are for seven, two and three-bedroom houses on the site of the pub, down from 11 houses last time, with 14 parking spaces and landscaping.

Architect Andrew Green is acting as agent for the development company, of which original applicant Brian McLawrence is also a director.

Mr Green said: "We have had two pre-consultation meetings with the planning authority before the application was put in, to address the concerns raised.

"We have increased the amount of landscaping and made the units fronting London Road much more imposing, so they make more of a statement at one of the main gateways into Chesterton."

Holditch Community Association, which opposed the first two applications, is still looking over the plans and considering its views.

But Holditch councillor Barbara Lewis has already expressed her opposition to the proposal.

Mrs Lewis said: "My views on this new application really aren't any different. If they want to build houses there I have no objection to that, but they shouldn't be building behind people's homes.

"There is still an issue with traffic as well. There will be just too many roads in too little space. It is going to be a problem."

But Mr Green said he did not think traffic concerns would be an issue this time.

He added: "We have spoken to the highways department and they have no objections in principle to the proposal.

"We have also increased the level of parking from 150 per cent to 200 per cent, so it should not affect other residents.

"We believe we have answered the concerns of both the planning authority and the residents."

Mrs Lewis still believes the Bennett Arms, which she says dates back to 1714, should be saved from demolition.

While she accepts it probably will not happen now, she would like to see the building retained for community use.

She said: "Personally, I do like old buildings. I think it's great what they've done with the Guildhall in Newcastle, and what they're planning to do with the Lancaster Buildings.

"Why can't they do something similar with the Bennett Arms? It could be kept as a community centre, as we don't have anything like that."

Planning officers at Newcastle Borough Council will consider the application in the coming weeks.