Skelmersdale pub demolition plans are approved

Nov 15 2012 by Jamie Bowman, Skelmersdale Advertiser

PLANS to demolish a popular Skelmersdale pub have been approved by West Lancs planning committee.

The proposals involve demolishing the Polaris pub on Blakehall Road, Digmoor, and replacing it with a part two-storey, part three-storey apartment block containing 32 apartments, and an accompanying underground car park with 42 spaces.

A statement included in the application on behalf of applicant Ian Granite, who is landlord of the Polaris, said that his pub was running at a loss and that the premises had only been kept open to avoid a decline in the property.

The statement read: “Despite additional investment in facilities including Sky television, a jukebox and free pool tables the pub has failed to attract patrons to the public house. The Polaris is not a viable business and as such the application proposes alternative development of the site.”

Further statements in support of the application pointed to the fact that the area was well served by pubs, with 10 licensed premises within 1km of the site, including the Highwayman, Quarry Bank Club, The Duck, The Plough and Harrow, Grimshaw Lane Inn, The Tanner and The Almond Tree.

Two of the bar staff employed at the Polaris will by redeployed at another pub owned locally by Mr Granite with further jobs created through construction work on the building.

The decision to grant planning permission is subject to a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 being entered into.