TWO meetings have been pencilled in for the next month to discuss controversial plans at a popular pub.

As reported by The Press, The Melbourne, in Cemetery Road, has been the subject of a takeover bid from substance addiction charity Changing Lives.

The charity is looking to secure planning permission to turn the venue into a drop-in centre for recovering alcoholics, but the proposals have proved unpopular with some residents.

Forty residents attended a meeting at the pub last Monday to decide on their next move, and two meetings are planned for the coming weeks.

Concerned parents and homeowners will meet in The Melbourne again today, then the City of York Council and Changing Lives will be on hand to answer questions in York’s Novotel, from 6pm on May 27.

In a statement to residents, Jo Curry, executive director of Changing Lives, said: “It is important to us to share the ideas that we have to create a place that the whole community can enjoy. We are keen to listen to the concerns that residents feel.

“We want to give people in the neighbourhood the opportunity to shape our plans for a community space in which local people can socialise. You have our absolute assurance that we have no intentions of rushing ahead with this until we have discussed it properly with residents.”