Time may be called on Widdrington Station pub
Oct 21 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
A FORMER village pub looks set to be demolished to make way for housing – 17 months after a Government planning expert vetoed the move because of its impact on the local community.
The Willows pub in Widdrington Station, Northumberland, has stood empty and deteriorating since its owners closed the doors three years ago, claiming it was not attracting enough customers to pay its way. In 2006, developer Grainger Homes sought permission to flatten the empty watering hole and build 23 homes on the site in Mile Road, but was turned down by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.
In May 2007, Government planning inspector Richard McCoy rejected the company’s appeal, saying he agreed with the council that demolition would leave the village without a pub, and no alternative facilities for social gatherings.
Mr McCoy said it was reasonable to expect a place the size of Widdrington Station to have its own pub, and the loss of the facility would harm the village’s role as a local service centre. He also questioned the evidence base for the claim that the pub was not viable, saying no adequate marketing exercise had been carried out in an attempt to secure its continued use.
Now a new outline bid to demolish the vacant pub and build homes on the site has been submitted by Till Services Ltd – and next week Castle Morpeth councillors will be recommended by officers to give it the green light.
The application is supported by Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council, but five letters of objection have been received to the loss of the pub facility and questioning the need for the proposed houses and bungalows.
Yesterday parish councillor Joe Sennett said he disagreed with his colleagues, and would be speaking out against housing development at the meeting. “I am not happy about this. The people of Widdrington Station want a pub. The Secretary of State gave this pub back to us, and who am I to argue with the Secretary of State? As far as I am concerned, the people of this parish have said they want a local pub and that remains my stance.”
A report to the borough council’s development services committee says the Willows has been badly vandalised, is not secure and is being used as an illegal dumping site.
The report says almost 300 potential operators have been approached about re-opening the pub without success, and it received no bids when offered for sale at auction.
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