Campaigners step up fight to save Black Horse (From St Helens Star)
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Campaigners step up fight to save Black Horse
11:30am Friday 7th December 2012 in News
Moss Bank residents protest over the closure of the Black Horse earlier this year.
AN action group has been set up to fight a housing plan residents fear would “rip out the village atmosphere” of a community.
More than 100 people packed into the Moss Bank Mission to protest at the plan to demolish the landmark Black Horse pub and build 16 luxury homes.
As revealed by the St Helens Star last month, developers are seeking permission for the estate to be constructed at the historic Moss Bank Road site, including the bowling green and car park.
Neighbours decided to form the action committee, which will fight the plans of developers Steppingstone Group.
The meeting studied legal ways of halting the proposals.
It also set out some of the traffic problems already faced in the village, while the potential loss of parking to the adjacent Moss Bank Mission – which hosts groups for pensioners and numerous social groups – was also brought into sharp focus.
Rita Allcock, 74, secretary of the action group, said: “We are angry that the whole character of the place could end up changing.
“Obviously we want to keep the pub, but if that cannot be saved we need to keep it as a building.
“There has been a bowling green there since the pub opened 300 years ago.
“The Moss Bank Bowling Club had a lottery grant a few years ago and made improvements there – now they are searching for somewhere else to bowl.”
The Black Horse is one of the oldest pubs in St Helens, and is believed to date back to the 18th century.
The proposed scheme would involve flattening it and building two to five-bedroom homes.
Comments(5)
jumper
says...
5:56pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Paul Lynch
says...
9:51pm Fri 7 Dec 12
I'd be happy to talk about your ( and anyone else's) concerns with the private planning application currently before the council Planning committee.
My email is cllrplynch@sthelens.
gov.uk
Regards
Paul
ruskindale
says...
11:31pm Fri 7 Dec 12
More than 100 people packed into the Moss Bank Mission to protest
If those 100 people had used the pub fairly regular it wouldn't be in the position it is now.
The horse has bolted.
jumper
says...
6:54pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Terry B says...
2:00pm Fri 7 Dec 12
"Well, we seem to have a difference here in what is said and what is happening in practice! How does knocking down what were important and beautiful buildings fall in to the category of protecting St Helens most important features? And how does allowing the demolishing of the Black Horse meet the aspirations of the people of the borough? They plainly don't want it knocked down! ".
The question still stand and still need answering. Answer on a postcard please!