Showdown looms in battle over Black Horse (From St Helens Star)

Showdown looms in battle over Black Horse

11:00am Monday 25th February 2013 in News

A SQUAD of campaigning neighbours say they are still in the dark over the future of an old pub as plans remain in place to demolish it.

The long term fate of the Black Horse in Moss Bank remains uncertain, with many fearing that its days are numbered despite one application to bulldoze it, already being withdrawn.

An action group, set up to save the building, say they are trying to compile a detailed history of the pub, which they say, dates back almost 300 years.

On a second application to knock down the Black Horse, the developer states why demolition needs to take place: “Demolition will allow further development for new homes and also remove the temptation for further vandalism and fires.”

It is expected that work to pull down the pub will start on Friday, March 1 and is expected to be completed by the 15th.

Rita Allcock, secretary of the action group said: “There is a new law which says that 'Demolition Requires Planning Permission'. The new law came into use to prevent demolition of buildings which make a positive and significant contribution to the character and appearance of these conservation areas.'”