AN Eynesbury pub that was the scene of a stabbing could be reduced to rubble to make way for houses.

AN Eynesbury pub that was the scene of a violent assault could be reduced to rubble to make way for houses.

A planning application has been submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council to demolish the Merry Boys in Berkley Street.

The empty pub, which was put up for sale by Admiral Taverns earlier this summer, has now been sold.

If the planning application is given the go-ahead, GPS Properties Ltd of Luton hope to build four houses on the site.

But Councillor Steve van de Kerkhove, district and town councillor for Eynesbury has raised concerns about the impact such a residential development could have on the area.

He told The Hunts Post: “My concern is that if it is turned into housing there will be a serious issue with road safety. Berkley Street is already dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists because cars park along the road and it is narrow. With additional cars this would only compound the matter.”

Cllr van de Kerkhove added that it was sad the town was losing another pub.

“It’s sad news but this seems to follow a national trend. Many pubs are closing across the UK because they cannot compete with supermarket prices and people cannot afford to visit them. There is not enough money in the town to keep this pub afloat. I suppose any development is better than an empty building.”

The news comes only weeks after it was revealed that another of the town’s pubs, The Kings Head in South Street, could be converted into a shop and offices.

The Merry Boys was the scene of a stabbing in August last year, at the wake of a St Neots man, known as Gypsy Graham.

Brian Bailey, 33, formerly of St Neots but who had moved to Dagenham, was found guilty of wounding with intent, after he slashed a fellow mourner across the face with a Stanley knife. Bailey was jailed for 10 years.

HDC planners are expected to make a decision on the Merry Boys planning application in October.