DISCUSSIONS over whether an Oldham pub will be demolished to make way for a new KFC and Starbucks are “ongoing”, it has been confirmed.

A planning application for the demolition of The Bowling Green in Hollinwood in favour of the drive-throughs was submitted to Oldham July 7, 2020 and sparked outrage.

The pub’s landlord of 15 years, Derek Lewis Middleton, claims he has not been updated on the progress of the proposals for months.

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition in a bid to save the pub from destruction.

A statement written alongside the petition reads: “The plans are to serve the passers-by and destroy lives of people within the community.”

A spokesperson for JW Lees, the Middleton brewery that owns the pub, said the Bowling Green Inn has “struggled to be a viable pub business for several years” adding: “so we regrettably had to take the decision to sell the site from our pub estate”.

Discussions with the applicant of the planning application are still however taking place according to the Oldham Council who are awaiting the submission of further information.

The planning statement within the application was prepared by the independent planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore on behalf of the applicant Quickcater Limited.

In the statement planning agents insist that the loss of the pub would not have a “detrimental impact on the provision of local community facilities” due to the site’s proximity to the Spinners Arms and the Bridgewater Inn, but both pubs are now closed.

The planning statement adds that there will be an “increase in job creation and employment opportunities as a result of the proposed development” that will principally serve the Hollinwood Business District and drivers travelling on the nearby A62.

The Oldham Times contacted planning agents at Barton Willmore who echoed the council’s comments, stating that discussions on the proposed scheme are still ongoing with a decision yet to be made.

The spokesperson from the brewery expressed support for the planning application, adding: “We never like to lose a pub and it is always a difficult decision to make, but on this occasion, we support the change in use and believe the proposed development, so close to the M60 and Oldham Road, will be of far greater public appeal.”

KFC and Starbucks were also contacted by The Oldham Times but did not respond before the paper went to print.