Demolition work has begun on the site of a former pub in Lichfield.
Planning permission was granted for housing to be built on land at Grange Lane currently occupied by The Windmill.
The proposals will see 12 three bedroom properties built once the former pub buildings are cleared.
A planning statement said:
“The scheme would bring forward 12 dwellings of a size encouraged by the development plan on this site without causing material harm to the amenity of existing residents, highway safety, the visual amenities of the area, biodiversity or any other material planning issue.”
Planning statement
The demolition work brings an end to a lengthy wait for the site to be redeveloped.
A plan for a care home was withdrawn in 2011, while various proposals for housing on the land have previously failed to materialise.
Oh no it’s that pub I like that pub I miss that pub I like that pub I had some fun in a pub specially on the car park are you building for British people not not outside people are you building for British people UK people
What a shame as it was a lovely popular pub until the landlord from hell took it over then it unsurprisingly closed but I suppose at least it will not resemble an eyesore now.
Retirement homes by any chance- lichfield needs a few more….
At a time when so many people in other parts of Europe are welcoming Ukrainian refugees into their communities and even their homes, and many Brits are doing what they can donating money and goods to help Ukrainians too, we are seeing the best of humanity.
Nigel, meanwhile, is on here airing his view that homes in the UK should only be for British people. Pathetic!
Nigel
Please, if you can not leave constructive comments then leave nothing at all!
Added to this, if people actually used the facilities then buildings such as this one would not be demolished.
If you actually look at planning applications, you can see whether or not ‘retirement homes’ are proposed. None are proposed for this site.
I agree that Nigel’s comments re this redevelopment are uncalled for and in very poor taste.
It does seem to be becoming increasingly commonplace on here these days whenever some kind of development, redevelopment or anything involving change in general is announced, it gets met with derision, even if it’s likely to be for the better for the vast majority.
In fact, it’s not just limited to Lichfield, people in Tamworth (where I actually live) also have a habit of jumping on the negativity bandwagon.
Pubs, shops, etc, close for a reason, the main one usually being due to poor trade (hence the old expression ‘use them or lose them’), and it sounds like this former pub premises has been lying idle for more than a decade.
As for people getting indignant about more homes being built on said site, at least it’s not on greenbelt land, and hopefully the final design and architecture of the development will be well thought out and sympathetic to the existing developments in close proximity.
Since the relaxation of development rules freeholders have found there is less hassle and a quicker returns by closing pubs for house building. How viable the business actually is is of no account.
Sadly the cost to the local community can be significant. The loss of a meeting place and the games and sporting facilities offered there is not available elsewhere. Also the convivial atmosphere of a well run pub has a bonding quality for local people and visitors.
Sad that Lichfield is losing so many of its iconic pubs. We will soon be all housing and little else
I had my first alcoholic drink in there on my 18th birthday, although I will admit that was 40+ years ago. It then became my local and used to have a great function room upstairs. The landlord used to be a great chap called Bill but after he retired subsequent landlords let it become rundown.
But at least a development on there will remove the eyesore that it has become.
I over look the old pub and welcome its demolition, it’s been derelict for years….knock it down and build the 12 houses as planned….next knock down Swallow Croft shops and rebuild them….another local eyesore !!!
I’m pleased they’re not being built on green belt land but I do worry about the Lichfield infrastructure (schools, Drs etc) being able to support all these new homes.
I also think we should be looking to the impact on the environment perhaps putting solar plans in as part of the initial build and enabling development of wild areas to support local wildlife. Needn’t be a lot – anything will help.
@Philip : Whilst I agree with your comments about pubs being closed to allow houses to be built on sites, this certainly isn’t the case with the Windmill as the pub closed about 15 years ago. The boundary wall had got to a dangerous state with masonary falling down the embankment.
Nigel, you’re a bigot! People like you are the problem with this country!!!