Ex-pub in Wigan may be razed for homes

Controversial plans to demolish a dilapidated former canalside pub for homes, which have been previously rejected, are back on the table.

Wigan Council’s planning committee has twice turned down the proposed development at Dover Lock Inn in Warrington Road, Abram, which has been closed for several years.

It came after residents feared the scheme would be harmful to the green belt of which it is part.

Other concerns included the potential ecological impact on the nearby Abram Flashes, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Locals were also worried that the development would exacerbate flooding. They also said the proposed properties, which would front Leeds-Liverpool Canal, would not be an “appropriate scale and massing” in relation to the canalside setting.

But a new outline application submitted to the council by Bryant Services Inc is seeking to demolish the pub to make way for six homes on the site, which comprises the pub and car parking and lies near to the canal and Hey Brook.

In its design and access statement on behalf of the applicant, agent Olivia Starkey of OS Rural Planning and Development, said the site is expected to be at low risk of flooding and that there would be no ecological and environmental issues.

She said: “With careful drainage design, there will be no residual related risks.

“The proposals are therefore compliant with both local and national planning policy relating to flood risk and drainage.

“The site is expected to be at low risk of flooding from all sources of flooding considered.

“The proposed development is not expected to adversely impact flood risk elsewhere.

“We understand there to be no ecological and environmental issues to this site or with the proposed development.”

Mrs Starkey’s report also said the pub is redundant and obsolete from its original use, while the site is overgrown and in a poor state of repair.

She added: “It has been again clearly demonstrated that the development proposals fully accord with the relevant policies and aspirations of the Development Plan and as such should be approved without delay.

“The proposals would deliver positive economic, social and environmental benefits which should be afforded significant weight in the determination of this planning application.

“Ultimately, it is apparent that the principle of a development of this nature and in this location is acceptable represents an appropriate and effective use for the site.”

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