Mountain bike trail to be built at park
AN historic Ormskirk pub is to be converted to housing after lying empty for six years.
Plans have finally been granted to allow the Windmill Inn, on Wigan Road, to be renovated and refurbished to form six one-bed apartments. An existing extension will be knocked down and a new one built containing three one-bed maisonettes.
The Grade II-listed building dates back to the mid-18th century and now lies in a sorry state, falling victim to vandalism and arson as well as the damp, water ingress and plant growth caused by years of dereliction.
It is believed it was originally built as a home for a rich merchant or professional before being converted into a pub in the 1860s, taking its name from Ormskirk Windmill which stood at the end of Mill Street.
The Windmill was listed as building of national importance in 1972 on the basis that it represented a good example of an 18th century inn and is recorded as one of Ormskirk’s oldest inn and for its sporting association with the bowling green.
However, an internal inspection by officers from West Lancashire Borough Council’s planning department found that “there is very little original or historic fabric remaining”.
Two attempts to convert the pub and its bowling green into larger developments of student accommodation have been knocked back in recent years and the approved plans no longer propose that provision.
The new proposed layout includes a small communal garden to the rear and side of the building for the future occupiers.
The existing car park is to be retained to provide five parking spaces and an additional parking area is proposed on the site of the beer garden.
A new access road will be created off Wigan Road and the pavement is to be widened to make it safer for pedestrians.
The matter went before West Lancashire’s planning committee last Thursday evening and was approved unanimously.
When questioned during the meeting, principal planning officer Ann Veevers conceded that there was nothing preventing the onebedroomed properties being used as student accommodation but argued their size and design is more likely to attract young professionals.
She also said that a suggestion of including a condition banning the new homes being used by students was likely to be unenforceable and easily overturned.
Cllr David O’Toole, who proposed that the application be approved, told the meeting: “This building has been derelict for a number of years now and looks rather sad.
“I know that various applications have been put in which have not been acceptable to the council for one reason or another which I’ve always agreed with.
“But this one is very much agreeable in that we’ve still got some public open space. The buildings are in line with conservation proposals regarding the front of the building and we are seeing residential usage rather than student accommodation.”
A 500 metre-long mountain bike trail is to be created at Tawd Valley Park.
West Lancashire Borough Council has granted planning permission to its own application which will see improvements made to an area which is already used informally by cyclists.
The new trail will incorporate seven jumps, an unsealed stone start ramp and use a natural hollow for a crater style hole known as a ‘bombhole’.
Based on a raised area of woodland bounded by the River Tawd and Our Ladies Queen of Peach High School, the track will follow existing paths created over time by cyclists and a new access track will also be constructed from the main footpaths which run through the meadow from Summer Street.
The hard standing track will be constructed from stone. which will be installed to create the mountain bike track, and will be similar in design to the footpaths which have been installed throughout Tawd Valley Park.
There will be no edging boards for the track in order for the edges of the track to become naturalised and blend into the woodland quickly Both Sport England and British Cycling gave their backing to the application and suggest it will both add value to the area and encourage more physical activity among visitors.