The site of the historic Corkman Irish Pub in Carlton unlawfully demolished by ‘cowboy’ developers should be turned into a park for the local community, advocates say.

The developers have come under fire from the state government and council after the 160-year-old pub was knocked down on the weekend.

Bill Kusznirczuk, the acting chair of the Victorian Planning Authority, said stopping any development on the site could lead to it being left dormant and in disrepair.

Read more: Outrage as iconic Carlton pub is demolished by developers

But he said those responsible should be deregistered for a number of years, if it was proven the relevant permits weren’t obtained.

‘There needs to be a disincentive for this bad culture,’ he said.

He said the site, formerly the Carlton Inn, needs to be properly managed.

‘Within that site you might have a pocket park which is a passive park, you plant it out, have some seating, they can use that park for a period of time,’ he said.

Click PLAY to hear town planner and Clement Stone’s managing director Bill Kusznirczuk: