Demolition work starts on Old Roan pub

An area is set to be completely transformed after demolition works has started on a pub that has remained empty on a heritage site for more than 10 years.

The Old Roan pub, on Copy Lane, in Aintree, Merseyside, served its last pint in 2013 and the building had become known as a local "eyesore".

The pub first opened its doors in 1908 and the building was considered to be a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA).

It left Sefton Council with no "no viable alternative" other than to knock down and rebuild to make way for a new 26-apartment housing block.

Plans were approved at by the planning committee in October 2024 subject to conditions.

In 2020, the then landlord, Commercial Realty Ltd, was fined over £16,000 for failing to carry out remedial works.

It was acquired by 2M Developments Ltd in 2021 and in 2024 it had plans approved for a three storey build, subject to conditions.

In an update published in August, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) found a new planning application adjoined to the previous proposals on Sefton Council's planning portal.

One of the stipulated conditions stated: "No development or site clearance shall commence until a written scheme of investigation for archaeological work has been submitted."

It added: "Should human remains, structures or deposits of archaeological interest be uncovered during the fieldwork, the planning archaeologist to the [local planning authority] will be consulted on the acceptable course of action."

A long period of inactivity was broken in September when local residents reported sightings of diggers conducting clearance work, and the erection of scaffolding on the Old Roan pub building.

It prompted rumours about whether the archaeological work had begun.

Last month, the LDRS reported a raft of new documents had been uploaded to the development's dashboard on the council's planning portal.

The report stated "no objections" were raised by the conservation team suggesting pre-development conditions had been met, paving the way for demolition work to begin.

It seemed once complete, the site could then see the construction of a three storey block of residential apartments.

The LDRS has previously attempted to contact the site's owner, 2M Developments (Old Roan) Ltd and its planning agent.

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