The Red Lion, a historic pub in Leigh that has been serving customers since 1849, could be knocked down to make way for three new houses. Plans submitted to Wigan council by GTTD Properties Ltd propose demolishing the vacant building on Westleigh Lane and constructing one detached and two semi-detached homes on the site.
Derelict and Dilapidated Building
The pub, located at the junction of Nel Pan Lane, has been vacant for many years and is described in a design and access report as 'a derelict old and dilapidated detached pub building which has been vacant for many years, predominantly consisting of hard standing scrub land and gravel with limited shrub vegetation'. The building, which includes accommodation on the upper floors, has suffered from fires and anti-social behaviour, according to a heritage report submitted with the application.
The heritage report states: 'The building is derelict and has been subject to a number of fires and anti-social, rough sleeping. The building appears to have been compromised with widespread roof leakage, structural damage to some room timbers and the attached former small stable completely gutted from fire.'
Heritage Assessment
The report examined whether the building, due to its age and local prominence, could be classified as a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA). It concluded: 'Taking account of its current condition, I conclude that on heritage grounds, the building has low significance and does not meet the minimum criteria to be considered as a NDHA. It has been structurally compromised in places, the building appears unlikely to be retained within any form of viable development.'
The building dates from at least 1849, and while it has been suggested it could be considered a building of local interest, no publicly available local list exists to determine its assessment.
Decision Pending
Wigan council planners will decide on the application in the coming weeks. If approved, the demolition of the 177-year-old pub will make way for new housing in the area.
