Punch Bowl Inn owners and court agree plan for rebuilding of pub

The Punch Bowl Inn, in Hurst Green, was bulldozed in June 2021 after the owners Donelan Trading Limited ignored the decision by the council.

The three owners - Andrew Donelan, his wife Nicola Donelan and daughter Rebecca Donelan - had told a previous court hearing before Blackburn magistrates they were worried the building had become unsafe and they believed it had got worse over the years and had been broken into and targeted by arsonists.

They were ordered to rebuild it to its original plan based on architectural records by March this year.

The Punch Bowl before it was demolished (Image: Newsquest)

Having already paid costs and fines of £69,125 last year, the council was seeking an injunction to ensure the work was done, with threats of imprisonment on the table should they not comply.

Mr and Mrs Donelan appeared before Manchester Civil Court yesterday. 

Killian Garvey, prosecuting for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “The reason why we are here at an injunction is because they ultimately want the building back up.

“It was taken down in June 2021 and not a single brick has been put back in place. There has been extended engagement and there is ample correspondence.

“Information that could be provided overnight is taking months and months and the fear is without injunction the issue will just rattle on.

“We do not wish to penalise the defendants but they just want the building up and we hope an injunction will allow them to realise this.”

The group reached an agreement with Ribble Valley Borough Council that the project would be undertaken by an architect, referred to as Mr Singleton, who appeared as an expert witness in the civil hearing or another firm who would be willing to take it on.

The pub was knocked down illegally and must be rebuilt (Image: Newsquest)

Issues arose for the defence in that they were unable to find a suitable architect willing to take on the task of restoring the building to its exact state.

The defence, David Manley KC, raised how Donelan Trading Limited had approached four separate companies regarding the work, all of which had stated that it would be too dangerous for their staff and their reputation to take it forward.

Mr Manley said: “At the moment my client's position is to retain independent professional advice, from four sources and we cannot support this and be associated with it. In which case, then what on earth is someone in that position meant to do?”

Discussions had broken down between the council and the firm regarding issues such as the exact materials which were to be used.

Mr Manley raised the point that Welsh Slate had to be used, but due to its inconsistent shape and size, not all pieces could be complied with.

Mr Manley added: “That is a ridiculous request and cannot be complied with.

“It has gotten to the point that discussion broke down on either side, and both sides thought they were being unreasonable.”

Concerns were also raised that the highway authority would have to close the road for the works to commence.

Lancashire County Council have been in talks with Ribble Valley Council over the works and suggested that they would want the building to be rebuilt 3m further away from the road.

Justice Naomi Ellenbogen asked both parties that if Mr Singleton was able to take on the works, as his statement made clear that it was safe to do so, then would they approve this decision.

Both parties agreed and Justice Ellenbogen said that if Mr Singleton was to agree to the project, then the defendants had just under a month, until November 7, to provide any outstanding information and the necessary provisions for the project.

Two weeks from then, on November 21, defendants are to explain on any basis if they have any objection containing any objection to the proposals.

If it is absolved, then plans to commence should start contemporaneously however if it remains unresolved another hearing will occur on January 9.