WORRIES over housing and antisocial behaviour have been raised over plans for a new Hungry Horse pub in Cowley.

The Middle Cowley Residents’ Action Group objected to the pub put forward for Templars Shopping Park off Between Towns Road.

Quadrant Estates wants to use a small plot of land behind the retail park as a dedicated car park for the pub.

But residents claimed the land is supposed to be used to build four houses.

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Group member Martin Tasker said: “Hungry Horse want to use it as a car park but we need the housing there.”

He said there was no need for a pub car park as there was plenty of parking in the area.

Stephen Thomas, of Anne Greenwood Close, said: “There is a higher risk of antisocial behaviour if permission is given. Hungry Horse is effectively a pub that serves food as opposed to a family restaurant that serves alcohol along with meals.

“The Nelson public house recently shut down after a number of antisocial incidents. Opening another pub just yards away is, in my opinion, likely to lead to similar problems.”

The Nelson, on the opposite side of Between Towns Road from the retail park, closed in August following incidents involving violence and drugs.

A Hungry Horse spokeswoman said they had been given positive feedback from residents at October’s public consultation.

She added: “Hungry Horse is famous for its family-friendly attitude and great-value pub food, and we hope our plans will bring greater choice to Cowley residents and families wanting to dine out, including the option of a full English breakfast for early risers.”

Quadrant Estates spokeswoman Lucie Brailsford said: “A Hungry Horse family pub/restaurant will be an excellent addition to Templars Shopping Park and we look forward to our planning application being considered.”

The building, empty since September 2013, is one of three restaurant sites in the park.

The Hungry Horse would have 13 car parking spaces and room for 10 bicycles, accessible from Rymers Lane.

Mr Thomas said: “The area is often frequented by school children and the chain’s double donut burger sends out an appalling message to children at a time when so many schools are trying to improve healthy eating.”

Hungry Horse spokesman Steve Jebson said: “Our popular menu caters for a variety of tastes and appetites and includes everything from lower calorie options such as our hot chicken and bacon salad at 393 calories, through to the indulgent occasional treat such as our new double donut burger. All the nutritional information for our menu is available on our website and in our pubs, so that our customers are able to make informed decisions about what they choose to eat.”

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