Old pub site sparks sessions

A village campaign group wants residents to have a greater say in the future of a pub which has been allowed to fall into a state of rack and ruin.

Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum is hosting a workshop on Friday, as well as an meeting tonight, as it gathers together people to ensure they can air their views about what should happen to the Whitburn Lodge.

The bar closed six years ago and its owners, Minel, had hoped to turn it into a wedding and events venue but were unable to push forward with the proposals.

The company has stated that it would like the land to be redeveloped for housing and hopes to get the site on the local plan which would forge the way for that.

In view of that, the forum has suggested it could raise a Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO), which would mean a planning application could be granted without the need for a standard application and that a proposal has to be consulted on by the community and owners, with extra checks by council planners.

As it gathers together opinions on the idea and what people would like to see happen to the lodge, the group is holding a drop-in workshop on Friday, in the hall of Whitburn Methodist Church, in North Guards, from 7pm to 9pm.

The forum is also due to meet tonight at the church from 7pm, with ideas to also be discussed for the pub plot.

These are available to view via its website, as well as at the village barber.

For information, visit whitburnnf.co.uk or its Facebook page, facebook.com/Whitburnforum.