A PLANNING application to turn a community pub into a convenience store has been recommended for approval despite a major public campaign.

The Layfield Arms on Davenport Road, in Yarm, has only been opened intermittently in recent years and plans have been submitted to turn it into a mini supermarket.

But that has led to petition being struck up, which has attracted more than1,000 signatories, and more than 110 people writing to Stockton Borough Council to object.

Objectors have also won the backing of Labour parliamentary candidate Louise Baldock.

Much of the campaign has been against losing the community asset of the pub, but also in support of popular shopkeeper Onkar Somal and his family.

The Somals have made the Lifestyle Express shop on nearby Turton Road a valued resource over seven years. The shop had previously been plagued by anti-social behaviour and while Mr Somal has a licence to open until 11pm he closes it at 8pm in keeping with the wishes of the community.

The application will be debated by Stockton Borough Council's planning committee at 1.30pm on Wednesday, March 18 and planning officers said it was considered the plan would not affect the character of the building, it was acceptable in terms of road use and would not lead to an unacceptable loss of amenity to neighbours.

Cleveland Police had no objections as long as measures like CCTV were put in place to reduce the chance of crime and anti-social behaviour. Approval was recommended.

However Yarm Town Council backed the residents ' Save Our Pub campaign on the grounds that it would adversely affect Mr Somal's business, could lead to anti-social behaviour including a possible gang's hang-out and lead to traffic and littering issues. A 24-hour cash machine could also lead to late night noise disruption.

The petition said: "We the undersigned believe that Sigma (the owners) should keep the Layfield Arms as a pub. We have a local shop that has served the community for over 40 years and will continue to support it. We do not need another shop. Take away our pub and the local community loses its heart."

Ms Baldock also objected. In a letter to the council she said: "Having spoken to local residents, and to the owner of the nearby corner shop, at some length there is a great worry about competition...There should also be a concern that unlike pubs, shops always attract young people to hang around outside, and it could be a magnet (like Tesco at Ingleby Barwick for instance) for anti-social behaviour."