Work finally begins at former Penwortham pub site - this is what is planned
Almost four years since the site was bulldozed, work has finally started on redeveloping a Penwortham pub and restaurant site.
The former Shampan Indian restaurant - before that the Plough Inn - in Pope Lane, Kingsfold, was demolished in March 2022, after South Ribble Council gave the go-ahead for a new retail and food development.
But until this week, the corner plot - surrounded by houses and shops - has been left fenced off, overgrown, and covered in litter, with people wondering if anything would ever begin.
But now there’s heavy machinery and a temporary office building on site, bearing the name of Robinson Construction Ltd of Claughton Business Park, Preston, as well as piles of hardcore and trenches for utilities already dug out.
However, it’s been so long since permission was granted, that many people have forgotten what the plans are, and some wild suggestions have flooded social media, including claims it will be a mosque.
So, what is the plan for this site?
Buckshaw-based CCPI Ltd have permission for a single storey development of three shops and a takeaway. The operators of the units have not been named. There will also be a 15-space car park for customers, with an extra five bays for staff. A planning requirement for EV chargers at the site was removed by SRBC last summer.
There were 25 letters of objection when the planning application by CCPI Ltd went before SRBC, along with 16 letters in support.
The applicants said the proposal would “safeguard the future of the Kingsfold local centre”. It was advised 18 full and part time jobs would be created and a statement submitted by Makerfield Design Partnership said: “None of the buildings on site have any notable features worthy of preservation”. Their report added redevelopment plans would bring a vacant site back into “appropriate uses” and deliver benefits for the local community.
The former restaurant had been described as “dirty, badly lit and attracting crime” and beyond economic repair. But objectors said the proposed design was out of scale with the surroundings and would cause a loss of privacy to neighbours, with potential for noise, odours and anti-social behaviour. Concerns were also raised about the safety of proposed access and exit points.
History of the site
The original Plough pub dated back to the 1840s but a replacement pub was built in 1957.
When the Plough closed in 2007, it was reopened as the Shampan restaurant by two brothers, Khalid and Rushan Miah, who built the business up and then sold the lease to Shampan in 2012. When the restaurant closed days after its 12th birthday due to financial difficulties, manager Alam Hussain told the Post of his sadness. He said: “I love this place, I like the local area and have always supported the local community, local football and sponsoring events. We offered to buy the building but the landlord doesn’t want to sell it. We can’t afford the rent on it. There is nothing more we can do. We have lost a lot of money and six members of staff have lost their jobs.”
The property sold for £395,000 in December, 2019.
CCPI have been contacted for more information about the building work.