A FORMER pub that had served its community for a century could be turned into a 24-hour petrol station.

Plans have been submitted by applicant James Hall and Co to knock down the Windmill in Mellor Brook and build a filling station and Spar store.

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The proposed plans, which will be ruled on by South Ribble Council in the coming months, include four fuel pumps on the forecourt with an over-hanging canopy.

If the go-ahead if given the store would be open seven days a week and open from 6am to 11pm on Sundays, and bank holidays.

The Preston New Road site was put up for sale in January 2015 by owners Enterprise Inns and speculation was made about its future.

John Greaves, chairman of the Samlesbury Action Group and Mellor resident, said building a petrol station at this site would have ‘serious traffic issues’.

Mr Greaves said: “The pub borders with Branch Road and according to the plans, motorists could only access the station from Preston New Road and leave via Branch Road.

“This means having to come back on yourself to get back onto Preston New Road, this could cause serious traffic issues.

“There is also a petrol station a few hundred yards up the road, it just seems silly to build another one so close to it.

“The loss of the pub is also sad, it’s another one that has disappeared from the Ribble Valley.

“The action group has been out delivering objection letters to residents to help spread awareness and make sure people have the chance to respond.”

The former farmhouse served the village for more than 100 years as a pub and had been run by John Ellis, originally from London, when he took it over in 2009.

In a letter to the council, Branch Road resident Richard Waters, said: “The present use of the land as a public house has over recent years failed to be successful.

“The introduction of a petrol station with convenience store would be a beneficial addition to the area.”

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said it made the decision to sell the pub, after careful consideration and has said that the pub no longer had a long-term future as part of its estate.