Old pub to make way for homes
AN EMPTY West Lancashire pub could soon be demolished and replaced by housing.
Plans have been submitted to build 10 new dwellings on the site of the Halton Castle Inn, in Westhead.
The pub closed in July, 2016, and, soon after, the owners, Marston’s Inns, told the Advertiser that it had been sold to a developer.
Plans to redevelop the site have been submitted for the second time by GM2 Ltd, which is hoping to build six three-bedroom houses and four two-bedroom flats on the land.
There are also plans to incorporate direct access to the development from the highway.
Halton Castle’s history dates back to 1840, though many of its features have been added or rebuilt since then, and it is not listed as a site of any historical significance.
The pub, and its attached bowling green, would be completely lost to make way for the developments.
GM2 Ltd submitted a proposal last year, seeking permission to build 10 houses on the site.
The application was refused by West Lancashire Borough Council.
One of the reasons for refusal was because, on the “design guide” submitted, two of the proposed plots resulted in “over-development and an unreasonable loss of privacy” as they overlooked nearby houses.
But a second proposal was submitted this month.
The latest application states: “The development is to bring back into use a vacant site presently containing a derelict public house building in an unstable state of repair, resulting in an environmental gain to the neighbourhood by the removal of dereliction and the improvement of an eyesore.
“The development therefore benefits the local community and provides much needed domestic accommodation.”
It adds that the proposed site is adjacent to the village centre, with regular public transport services to and from Ormskirk.
West Lancashire Borough Council will decide on the proposal at a date in the future.
WHAT do you think of the GM2 Ltd plans? Email your views to: newsdesk@ ormskirkadvertiser.co.uk