HOMES in Whiston have been left “wide open” to burglars after a pub was demolished without planning permission, a resident has said.

Alex Lowe said the demolition of the former Green Dragon, opposite Whiston Hospital, at the end of last year had been “a complete nightmare”.

As well as knocking down the vacant pub, the developer also demolished the wall that separated the pub’s land from the houses behind it in Cook Street.

The developer said the wall had become dangerous, but Ms Lowe said its removal meant homes in Cook Street could be easily accessed from the main road.

She said: “We never had any problems until he took that wall down.

“People have been fly tipping, we’ve had people wandering in. Last week some bloke wandered down the entry, completely bladdered, trying to get to Liverpool.”

More seriously, she said there had been several break-ins, with children’s bikes and scooters stolen from behind the houses in Cook Street. Ms Lowe herself had four bikes stolen in one night at the beginning of March.

She added: “It got to the point with things going missing that we stopped reporting it, it was pointless because nothing could be done. 

“When I replaced my son’s bike the first time, it was gone again within a couple of weeks.”

The developer, Rochdale-based Hallmark Developments, did install a temporary fence in place of the wall, but Ms Lowe said this had been inadequate and has blown over on a number of occasions.

She added that this had created “an absolute eyesore” in an area previously used by residents as a place to relax and let their children play.

READ > 48 new homes could be built on corner of garden village

Hallmark’s director, Chris Grieves, said the only permanent solution would be for Knowsley Council to grant planning permission for the construction of a new wall and a car park on the site of the former pub.

He said: “The old boundary wall we demolished was taken down because of its dangerous condition and the possibility that it could likely injure children who played in its vicinity. The wall was in a very poor state of repair.

“The most important thing from my company’s perspective is [that] the planning approval for the new boundary wall to be constructed is approved ASAP. 

“The planning application for the wall, including a retrospective application for the demolition of the former derelict Green Dragon pub, was submitted many weeks ago and we are checking every week with the planning department to see if it’s approved.”

He added: “I know we have had problems with vandals damaging the temporary fencing, but it’s difficult to build something permanent without consent.”

Hallmark Developments demolished the Green Dragon at the end of 2019 without asking for planning permission.

A lawyer for the company told the LDRS the building was unlikely to ever trade as a pub again and had become a magnet for vandals.

In April, the company applied for retrospective approval of the demolition as well as permission to build a car park on the site.

A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the wall’s demolition and have reviewed the site.

“Our planning and crime and communities teams are working with residents and the landowner to address concerns around the site, particularly criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“A planning application from the landowner has also been submitted and we are currently reviewing this.”

Merseyside Police urged anyone with any information regarding the break-ins to contact them or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.