A derelict pub on the site of an old Nottinghamshire railway station will be demolished after being hit by trespassing and antisocial behaviour. The Pullman Inn, located in Station Road, in the village of Widmerpool, a few miles from Loughborough, will be knocked down after Rushcliffe Borough Council gave approval over the plan on June 7.
Network Rail, which owns the land and applied for the demolition, argued the old pub had become a target, presenting a safety risk to the nearby Network Rail test railway. The site of the former railway station also comprises of additions made to the site. And after being vacant since 2016, it is now "in a considerable state of dereliction", according to the council.
A planning document said trespassing and anti-social behaviour at the pub posed a risk to the live railway test track, with an asbestos report also indicating substantial health and safety issues for anyone entering the building. The track is part of the Melton Rail Innovation & Development Centre, which provides a safe environment for the testing of new and modified rolling stock, plant, on-track machines, infrastructure, equipment and new technology.
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In a report on the application, the council said the benefits of demolishing the building would outweigh any harm caused. Planning officers stated the closeness of the building to the track also meant there was a risk of debris falling onto them.
Network Rail told the council "removing the asset means the funding that would have to be used to increase security at the site can be put into maintaining and developing the operational railway to the benefit of our passengers and travelling public". The planning application follows a previous application for demolition consent, which had been turned down.
Councillor Rob Inglis, who represents Keyworth and Wolds for the Conservatives on Rushcliffe Borough Council, said it would be a "shame" but he that could understand the reasons for the demolition. "It is a bit of shame and that will be another lost pub/restaurant in the south of Nottingham.
"Although it has been empty got the last eight years, and in previous years it was subject to attempts that have failed, it has now decided there is enough to grant the demolition. The owners have made a good case for it."
The application has confirmed the building will be demolished to slab level with the site surfaced with gravel to match its surroundings. The council concluded the proposal would be an "appropriate form of development in the open countryside".
A report, issued by Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: "Although the applicant has not demonstrated the active marketing of the building, in this instance the loss of the public house is considered justified due to the potential risk to nationally important infrastructure. Given the time elapsed since the last use of the building and its deteriorated condition, it is considered no longer economically viable, feasible or practicable to retain the existing community use."
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