Plans to demolish 'eyesore' pub approved

Plans to demolish an "eyesore" pub and replace it with affordable homes have been approved.

The former Nautical William pub in Wigston was left empty after going out of business five years ago.

People in the area have voiced concerns about the state of the building, which has been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) has now approved plans to tear the building down and build 14 affordable homes.

The new estate, at the junction of Aylestone Lane and Rolleston Road, will be made up of five two-bed homes, three three-bed homes, and six one-bed maisonettes.

All the properties will be social rented housing.

At the start of September, Oadby, Wigston and Harborough MP Neil O'Brien said the building had "become a focus for antisocial behaviour, drug use, and complaints about rodents".

He said the application would be a "great outcome" for the local area and appealed to the council to make a decision, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

On Friday, the council said it had received the final information from the relevant parties in "recent days" which enabled it to grant planning permission.

Lee Bentley, chair of the council's development control committee, said: "For many years this building has stood vacant and has gradually become an eyesore in a prominent location.

"Residents have understandably wanted to see the site brought back into use, and we welcome proposals that will transform it into quality affordable housing for local people.

"There is significant demand for affordable housing across our borough, and developments such as this can play an important role in helping to meet that need while also improving the appearance of the area."

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