PLANS to build an apartment block on land where a pub stands have been given the green light.

An outline planning application to create a residential development where The Masons Arms in Atherton is situated was approved by Wigan Council officers last week.

Ahead of the decision, six objection letters were submitted to the local authority which included concerns about traffic, parking and fears that the proposed three-storey building is "out of keeping with the local architecture".

One representation said the Wigan Road pub is "an important meeting place for a lot of people in the area".

A council planning report states: "The applicant has agreed that the indicative 32 apartment, three-storey scheme submitted as part of the application should be ignored and as such the siting scale and appearance of any development has been reserved to a subsequent application.

"The precise number and type of dwellings and the layout of the site is not for detailed consideration at this stage.

"As for the access to the site this too has been reserved although a number of works will have to be undertaken to ensure a safe access.

"It is accepted that a three-storey development may be out of character but as the scale, design and appeared is reserved for a subsequent application, this issue will be dealt with at that stage.

"While the public house may be of value to the local community it is not been registered as an asset of community value so is not protected.

"It is considered that the site is sustainable from an accessibility perspective, with access to public transport and a wider network easily achieved from the site, with a number of facilities and services within walking distance."

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The report also states: "The supporting documents submitted with the planning application indicate a potential risk of contamination in part due to former buildings on the site and potential gas migration.

"In light of this, it is recommended that any permission have a condition attached requiring the applicant to undertake an investigation and assessment of the nature and extent of any contamination of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority."