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.
READ MORE: Wetherspoon's 'callous disregard' for seaside town as £3m plans reduced to 'eyesore'
While planning approval was given to the refurbishment and development of the building, the council did not grant planning approval for the demolition of the building. The ECHO understands Wetherspoon developers found structural defects in the building and the General Permitted Development Order allows for demolition if necessary in the interests of health and safety.
The email from the council planning officer said: "A structural report was submitted to the council, and, in this instance, demolition was necessary in the interests of health and safety."
A spokesperson for Wetherspoon told the ECHO: "The redevelopment of the site stopped in mid-August 2022 when it was found that the structural stability both of Lacy’s Bar and the Traveller’s Rest, the majority of which had already been demolished, was not sufficiently secure to allow continued works on site.
"A structural survey then took place which concluded that there was no structural alternative but to demolish Lacy’s Bar to avoid a major collapse which could have affected the Master Mariner itself. The demolition was carried out with the knowledge of the council and without the need for planning permission given the health and safety issues involved."
The ECHO previously heard from a number of business owners in the north-Wirral town who expressed concerns regarding the project. Rockpoint Leisure founder Dan Davies said: "They acquired the neighbouring Lacy's site in 2015 and just sat on and did nothing.
"They left it so long and then the work went on and on, and they've ended up knocking it down and walking away from it. We never wanted them to knock the building down because the building has history. Like a lot of things it's more expensive to refurbish but I think it's better because you keep its character and a uniqueness.
"Now there's just a building site there - if you're driving down the promenade it's the first thing you see. It's not a good advert for New Brighton."
Sean Martin, chairman of New Brighton Coastal Community Team, told the ECHO: "We are very, very unhappy. It's at the start of our leisure strip and it's looking terrible just as tourists are starting to come to the area.
"Everyone in the area is shocked at what they've done to the place. We're trying our best to improve the area. Dan has put his heart and soul into New Brighton while they haven't shown any care for the community."
The promenade has been identified by Wirral Council as a key area in its masterplan for New Brighton over the next decade and a half. The council branded the pub behemoth's plan to put the site up for sale as "disappointing".
But a council spokesperson added: "However the council is keen to work with new owners to bring this important site forward for development that will enhance the offer of New Brighton and add to its fantastic waterfront as part of the ongoing masterplan work."
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