THE PROPOSAL to turn one of Earley's most-loved pubs into a convenience store is still causing widespread discontent within the community.

Planning chiefs approved blueprints for The Maiden Over, in Silverdale Road, to be demolished and replaced with a Tesco Express store in January after campaigners failed to save it.

Members of the community wanted the site to remain a pub or at the very least have a new hub for locals in its place as there is already a supermarket in the vicinity.

But resident Chris Elliot, 62, of Luckmore Drive, believes the decision to allow a supermarket in its location would pose a threat to schoolchildren, parents and other members of the public.

“There is already too much conflicting traffic in such a small area,” he said. “Mothers and fathers dropping off their kids on a busy road with poorly parked cars is already dangerous.

Wokingham Borough Council gave the go ahead for the proposal on the condition of more double yellow lines in the area and limited delivering times for lorries.

“I really am waiting for the first accident to happen as the road is already congested and the proposal to reduce delivery times and add double yellow lines are insufficient,” Chris added.

“I have lived here for years and years and have seen the schools in the area trying to increase the intake of their students like Aldryngton are trying to do at the moment.

“This would only make things worse and it would only be a matter of time before someone gets hurt. It really is a flawed plan.”

Tesco will provide 21 car parking spaces on the site, and deliveries will be dropped off through one-way system from Silverdale Road. It is expected to be completed before Christmas.

Chris's views were echoed by Cllr Clive Jones who tried to prevent the development from happening since it was earmarked in 2014.

“The real shame of it is that we couldn't stop it from happening,” he said. “But extra yellow lines around the area are a necessity.

“Otherwise some children are going to get hurt.”