Plans for 15 caravans on land behind illegally demolished Punch Bowl Inn

The former Punch Bowl Inn in Hurst Green, which had been left to fester for years, was razed to the ground in June, and last week, a planning application was received by Ribble Valley Borough Council seeking permission for a change of use to land at the rear of the old pub so that a 15-strong static caravan holiday park can be built on the site.

The land - which was formerly a car park and recreational area attached to the Punch Bowl Inn - as well as housing the caravans, would be given over to a car park with enough room for 30 vehicles.

Submitted by Donelan Trading Limited in Wilpshire, there would be seven lodges/caravans measuring 12.8m x 4m, and eight lodges/caravans measuring 12.8m x 5.8m

The building of the caravan holiday park would also create two full-time and four part-time jobs.

There are also proposals to tarmac the entrance road, and add a porous loose gravel finish to the access road and parking areas.

There were no objections raised by Highways, and a report submitted alongside the application states: "The proposal to provide 15 static caravans at the site and the conversion of the former public house into five holiday lets and a café was approved by Ribble Valley Borough Council in October, 2018.

"The planning permission is extant but the former public house has had to be demolished because it had become structurally damaged.

"The current planning application is, therefore, for the static caravan holiday park.

"The proposed development will bring a brownfield development site back into use as an attractive holiday park for leisure trips by owners and their guests.

"The proposed static caravan holiday park would not result in any significant adverse highway or transport impacts and will have significant benefits compared with the extant planning permission.

"It is, therefore, recommended that there should be no highway objections raised towards the planning application."

Following the unlawful demolition of the Punch Bowl Inn, Ribble Valley Borough Council said in July they had been in touch with the landowner and were investigating the demolition, and enquiries are believed to be ongoing.

Council 'looking into' shock demolition of Ribble Valley's Grade II listed Punch Bowl Inn

A supporting statement from the planning agent submitted along with the application states: "The pub has now been demolished and matters surrounding this are being dealt with separately between the applicant, their legal advisors and the council.

"Had it not been for the demolition of the Punch Bowl Inn, previous planning permission and listed building consent would remain extant.

"However, as the LPA are fully aware, previous planning permission and listed building consent cannot now be implemented because of the demolition of the former Punch Bowl Inn.

"This has led to the inability to carry out the full development.

"The undertaking of the holiday park (in its own right) under these recent permissions would thereby be unlawful.

"Consequently, this planning application seeks a new planning permission which relates to the holiday park element only of the previously approved planning permission.

"Given the listed building is no longer on the site, we do not consider that a separate listed building consent needs to be sought for the proposed holiday park proposals.

"The holiday park remains exactly as per the previous scheme.

"The static caravans/lodges would occupy the external area associated with the former public house.

"The existing access off Longridge Road would be utilised and suitable turning areas within the site would be provided.

"Each caravan/lodge would be provided with its own designated car parking space and the plans incorporate a further 16 visitor car parking spaces."