Locals celebrate as Inspector dismisses appeal to demolish historic Blackburne Arms

FRIENDS of The Blackburne Arms are celebrating a historic win in their “David and Goliath” planning battle to prevent the demolition of their beloved pub.

An appeal by Lane End Developments Construction Ltd against the decision of Warrington Borough Council to refused demolition of existing public house and construction of 52 unit affordable retirement facility and associated landscaping has been dismissed by HM Planning Directorate.
Locals, including former landlord Mark Moran, are celebrating the decision against the controversial plans to demolish the 92-year-old historic Blackburne Arms which is an Asset of Community Value in Orford.
Inspector Darren Hendley, dismissed the case; reporting his findings in a nine-page document citing four key principles on which he made the decision.
(i)the character and appearance of the area;
(ii)the provision of community facilities and local services, in particular through the loss of a public house;
(iii)highway safety and the free flow of traffic by way of the traffic generation and the parking provision; and
(iv)flood risk.
In his conclusion, Mr. Hendley stated: “I have considered all relevant matters that have been raised. The proposal conflicts with the development plan as a whole and there are no material considerations to outweigh this conflict. Accordingly, the appeal should be dismissed.” The full document can be accessed here: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?fileid=40923775

Mr Moran, Chairman of FoTBA and a former landlord at the pub expressed his delight in the “David and Goliath” planning battle, saying:“I am over the moon that we have been able to save the heart of Orford! This Asset of Community Value is not only a stunning building but it is in a beautiful location which was identified in the report.”
He added “We also need to consider the heritage value of this iconic building. Lt. Col. Robert Ireland Blackburne bequeathed this land to the parishioners of Orford in 1923. This is identified in the original title deeds as held by the Orford War Memorial Bowling Club, President Ken Leigh. If it wasn’t for Ken, his Committee and fellow FoTBA board members, Stephen Leigh, Paul Edge, Shaun Taylor and Keith Houghton, the pub would have not made it through the council’s Development Committee. In a way I am glad it went to the HM Planning Directorate as we now have conclusively prevented the development at the highest level.”
In the 1920’s Blackburne, the owner of what is now known as Orford Park, worked with Greenall Whitley to build what is affectionately known as “The Blackie”. The pub itself was completed in 1929 and has gone under many changes since.
Mr Moran concluded: “The Blackburne Arms and the surrounding Bowling Club and the Allotments are the communal nucleus for the local people of all ages. We must thank the Allotments Association for fighting alongside us, Paul Durston, for fighting for the most important group of people in all of this, the community and the people who supported us all the way.”
Local Cllr Mike Hannon, supported the team all the way to prevent “the loss of a part of Warrington’s History.”
FoTBA previously secured the Asset of Community Value status during the campaign by the community. This resulted in more than 1,000 letters opposing the scheme that were sent in and an online petition attracted 272 signatures including objections from the members of both the Orford War Memorial Bowling Club and the local Allotment Society.
The quest now is to secure the building by a community purchase as discussed at a previous public meeting.
Going forward, the FoTBA committee will meet to start the discussions and other possibilities concerning the ACV, held by the Board on behalf of the community.