PLANS to flatten the former Yate magistrates’ court have been given the go-ahead.

Homes England, the Government’s housing delivery agency, revealed its scheme to knock down the former town centre courthouse and replace it with homes last month.

The idea met angered some local people, who objected to the loss of
the town centre site from community use.

Details of how mature trees on the site, currently protected by tree preservation orders, would be dealt with in the planning application have so far hampered the demolition process.

But Homes England has now provided a revised arboricultural and demolition report, which has met South Gloucestershire Council planning department’s requirements. 

The report indicates that some low- quality trees will be removed, a group will have their canopies reduced, while those around the periphery of the site are to be retained.

Cllr John Gawn, who has been campaigning to keep the building for community use, said he was very disappointed by the news.

“My concern now is that they will knock down the court building and it will just sit there, empty,” he said.

“There is currently no buyer or developer interested in the property. 

“I want to know when the building is demolished, how the area will be secured until developers are on board. 

“The area has a problem with anti-social behaviour. 

“So if the property is demolished and the area is not secured, there could potentially be problems with vandalism, anti-social behaviour or fly tipping.

“I don’t think the court should be demolished until a developer has been found.”

The court on Kennedy Way was among 86 courts to close across the country in 2016, as part of government plans to reform the justice system, and it has remained empty ever since.

Cllr Gawn, who lives on Stanshawe Crescent, which flanks one side of the court, has been campaigning for the building, which has 12 custody cells and eight waiting rooms, and includes a family and youth court, to be retained as a community asset.

He has written to the Prime Minister and Ministry of Housing, asking them to intervene.

“I and the residents feel very disappointed that this is going ahead, despite recommendations from many us that the building could be useful for other purposes.”

A spokesperson for Homes England said: “Homes England is progressing demolition of the former Magistrates Court in Yate to prepare the site for housing development.

"We are currently in the process of appointing a demolition contractor and gaining the relevant consents.

"We anticipate demolition works should commence by the end of May."