JD Wetherspoon was not granted specific planning permission to knock down a building that has left a seaside town looking like an "eyesore".
The ECHO revealed last month that Wetherspoon had abandoned its £3m development plans at its Master Mariner site in New Brighton. A spokesperson for the pub chain had just days before said work would be continuing on the revamp, before U-turning and announcing the plug had been pulled on the project.
The ECHO has seen emails from Wirral Council to the New Brighton Coastal Community Team regarding the stalled development. The planning officer notes the council has sought to support the retention and conversion of the now demolished Lacy's Bar.
