Apartments plan sounds death knell for Darwen's Cemetery Hotel

2:44pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

AN historic Darwen pub could be transformed into apartments if a planning application is successful.

The former Cemetery Hotel in Cemetery Road could become four apartments under plans submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Records of a pub on the site date back to 1888.

According to the plans, little will be changed to the exterior of the building, apart from the removal of signage and chimneys. The proposals would also see a new roof put on the building to prevent water leaking in and the demolition of the rear extension, previously used as a dining area, to make way for two parking spaces per apartment.

In a design statement sent to the council, the developer Carl Bradshaw said: “When a public house is no longer viable as an operational business, then closure is the only option. Under these conditions, redevelopment with an alternative use can be the only viable option.

“The layout and design for the proposed development have evolved following careful consideration to creating an acceptable residential accommodation.

“The proposed change of use will bring back into use a prominent building on a main access route into Darwen.”

The statement added: “The alterations are to allow the residents a high standard of living accommodation.”

Whitehall councillor Karimeh Foster said: “In historical terms, it will be sad to see the pub go as it has been there for many years and acts as a local landmark.

“But, on the other hand, with people short of places to live it is a good idea.

“The pub was struggling when it was still open and if there is little business then is it worth keeping it going?

“Maybe it makes sense to turn it into apartments to help people looking for accommodation in the town.”

Comments (12)

2:55pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Bat E Karen says...

They started work on it ages ago.

I wish someone could have taken it on and turned it into a good family pub with decent food.
They started work on it ages ago. I wish someone could have taken it on and turned it into a good family pub with decent food. Bat E Karen

3:21pm Mon 11 Feb 13

IdontLIKEliars says...

Karimeh Foster said “But, on the other hand, with people short of places to live it is a good idea."
So Karimeh says people are short of places to live? Well why would her other colleagues working at the council be so against other developments within the town of darwen? Simon huggill!!!
Quoting her husband from another story about developments in darwen in the telegraph he said he "feared work would be started but not finished." So why aren't they bothered about this one? Is it because it on their ward and don't want another public house to stay open near there own house?
Or is it that they know the plans are going through so they aren't going to waste time and the councils money protesting it!!!!!
Karimeh Foster said “But, on the other hand, with people short of places to live it is a good idea." So Karimeh says people are short of places to live? Well why would her other colleagues working at the council be so against other developments within the town of darwen? Simon huggill!!! Quoting her husband from another story about developments in darwen in the telegraph he said he "feared work would be started but not finished." So why aren't they bothered about this one? Is it because it on their ward and don't want another public house to stay open near there own house? Or is it that they know the plans are going through so they aren't going to waste time and the councils money protesting it!!!!! IdontLIKEliars

7:05pm Mon 11 Feb 13

amazed says...

Sorry to hear this.

Many years ago (I always seem to start by saying this!) when our children were growing up we always went to have sunday lunch at the Cemetery Hotel. It was always full and the food was excellen t. I wonder why standards were let slip causing trade to fall off and closure?
Sorry to hear this. Many years ago (I always seem to start by saying this!) when our children were growing up we always went to have sunday lunch at the Cemetery Hotel. It was always full and the food was excellen t. I wonder why standards were let slip causing trade to fall off and closure? amazed

2:05am Tue 12 Feb 13

Kiwihead says...

Say goodbye to another piece of Darwen...
Say goodbye to another piece of Darwen... Kiwihead

7:36pm Wed 13 Feb 13

caroline the xjw says...

IdontLIKEliars wrote:
Karimeh Foster said “But, on the other hand, with people short of places to live it is a good idea." So Karimeh says people are short of places to live? Well why would her other colleagues working at the council be so against other developments within the town of darwen? Simon huggill!!! Quoting her husband from another story about developments in darwen in the telegraph he said he "feared work would be started but not finished." So why aren't they bothered about this one? Is it because it on their ward and don't want another public house to stay open near there own house? Or is it that they know the plans are going through so they aren't going to waste time and the councils money protesting it!!!!!
this is a delapodated building which has lacked both public support as a pub and investment by the previous long term landlord / brewery , as a local home owner I applaud any investment in this impoverished town
[quote][p][bold]IdontLIKEliars[/bold] wrote: Karimeh Foster said “But, on the other hand, with people short of places to live it is a good idea." So Karimeh says people are short of places to live? Well why would her other colleagues working at the council be so against other developments within the town of darwen? Simon huggill!!! Quoting her husband from another story about developments in darwen in the telegraph he said he "feared work would be started but not finished." So why aren't they bothered about this one? Is it because it on their ward and don't want another public house to stay open near there own house? Or is it that they know the plans are going through so they aren't going to waste time and the councils money protesting it!!!!![/p][/quote]this is a delapodated building which has lacked both public support as a pub and investment by the previous long term landlord / brewery , as a local home owner I applaud any investment in this impoverished town caroline the xjw

9:52pm Wed 13 Feb 13

wigan1966 says...

And the two new owners are hard working local residents and not some massive building company who would of over developed the former pub
And the two new owners are hard working local residents and not some massive building company who would of over developed the former pub wigan1966

11:03am Thu 14 Feb 13

sean_brfc says...

Why get rid of the chimneys? To spoil the architecture?
Why get rid of the chimneys? To spoil the architecture? sean_brfc

3:09pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Straighttalker11 says...

Looking at most of the comments left hear sounds like most of u never stepped foot in the pub as u know nothing of the circumstances why the pub closed .or why there was no investment so unless u know u shouldn't have an opinion
As far as the new owners go they are just going to turn an old building into flats just to make a fast buck
Looking at most of the comments left hear sounds like most of u never stepped foot in the pub as u know nothing of the circumstances why the pub closed .or why there was no investment so unless u know u shouldn't have an opinion As far as the new owners go they are just going to turn an old building into flats just to make a fast buck Straighttalker11

9:19pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Catwomem says...

Straighttalker11 do you know something I don't as I don't think the new owners will see there return in their liftime as the cost of the building and project cost will be far greater than you may be thinking , ps I know both parties very well and you could not meet more genuine people , they would of made far more money turning it into 8 bedsits and not 4 good size apartments with parking
Straighttalker11 do you know something I don't as I don't think the new owners will see there return in their liftime as the cost of the building and project cost will be far greater than you may be thinking , ps I know both parties very well and you could not meet more genuine people , they would of made far more money turning it into 8 bedsits and not 4 good size apartments with parking Catwomem

10:38am Fri 15 Feb 13

Straighttalker11 says...

Maybe I do know something you don't
And if the new owners won't see a return on there investment then there is no point to the project
Maybe the renovation costs are great the building was picked up cheap and u wouldn't spend that kind of money not to make money
Maybe I do know something you don't And if the new owners won't see a return on there investment then there is no point to the project Maybe the renovation costs are great the building was picked up cheap and u wouldn't spend that kind of money not to make money Straighttalker11

1:00pm Fri 15 Feb 13

silly old moo says...

I would like to congratulate the new owners for being forward thinking and visionary. They have taken on a project to make new out of, what was, an old delapodated old pub that had had no money spent on it for years. They will be providing new much needed accomodation.
I don't think they are doing this to make a fast buck, it will be more of a long term investment, an investment for Darwen people.
I say three cheers to them.
I would like to congratulate the new owners for being forward thinking and visionary. They have taken on a project to make new out of, what was, an old delapodated old pub that had had no money spent on it for years. They will be providing new much needed accomodation. I don't think they are doing this to make a fast buck, it will be more of a long term investment, an investment for Darwen people. I say three cheers to them. silly old moo

4:37pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Straighttalker11 says...

I have to ask why people think darwen is in need of accommodation when the developments that have been done or either unfinished or empty
I.e the mill gap apartments ?
I have to ask why people think darwen is in need of accommodation when the developments that have been done or either unfinished or empty I.e the mill gap apartments ? Straighttalker11

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