Former pub to be turned into flats
JONATHAN GRIEVE
PLANS to convert a former pub into apartments have been given the go ahead by councillors.
An application to turn the old Village Inn in Great Harwood into 10 one-bedroom flats was recommended was approved by Hyndburn council’s planning committee last week.
The pub has stood empty for eight years and last year, plans were submitted to give the building a new lease of life.
The committee report stated: “Objections have been received in relation to the people who will live in the apartments and also whether the apartments are needed. The council has a policy which allows apartment development in this location, and as such this proposal is considered to be in line with that policy and as such acceptable in that regard.
“In relation to the comments relating to inhabitants of the development, this is not a planning matter as this application is for residential development, not for institutional development such as the type which is referred to in the objector’s letter.”
Owners of the pub in Water Street, formerly known as the Brass Band Club, Arnie and Tracey Martin, had secured a sale in principle dependent on planning permission for the conversion.
In a letter to the council submitted with the planning application, Mr Martin said: “In 2004, after spending a substantial amount of money on purchasing, refurbishing and trading, it became apparent that we would have to subsidise the business as it was not proving viable as a sports bar and did not lend itself to being food-orientated.
“We kept the premises licence to the property until 2015 by paying the annual fee of £180. Unfortunately we came to the conclusion that it was never going to sell as a pub as the property had fallen into disrepair and we were doing minimal repairs due to spiralling costs.”
Under the proposals, the former pub will be converted into 10 one-bedroom flats with one parking space between them.
Developers IL Group Ltd held discussions with the council over developing the pub as 15 flats, but later scaled the plans back.
A spokesman said: “The Village Inn ceased trading in 2011 after several years of investing in the premises and subsidising the business.
“The property now has the minimum maintenance and as a result is falling into further disrepair. We feel the proposed development provides an opportunity to retain and revive a building that is already an eyesore and social problem for local residents and which will otherwise continue to deteriorate.”