A DERELICT pub could finally be demolished amid claims that an X-rated video was shot there.

The Moorcock Inn has been blighted by antisocial behaviour since it closed in 2010, and has even been used as an ‘unofficial location’ for the filming of an amateur pornographic film.

The applicant Stephen Thornber, who has owned the public house and hotel for the last seven years, has submitted an application to demolish the empty pub and build four detached houses.

Mr Thornber’s latest application was discussed at Ribble Valley Council’s planning and development meeting on Thursday.

Cllr Paul Elms, deputy leader of Ribble Valley Council, spoke on behalf of the applicant during the meeting.

He said: “The Moorcock Inn is the issue that residents in my ward talk to me about the most.

“The pub is situated on one of the Ribble Valley’s busiest tourist routes and yet it has been subjected to various crimes and hit by fire.

“It has also been used for the unofficial filming of a pornographic film.

“I would prefer to see four decent family homes any day rather than the current derelict site.

“I want to see the Moorcock gone.”

Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, who is the ward councillor for the area, also proposed the application went back to committee at a future meeting to allow the proposal to finally go ahead.

He said: “I propose this application goes back to committee for a decision to allow us to grant this and give it the go ahead.

"The reason we have a committee is for occasions like this when we can allow a departure from strict adherence to dogma.”

Cllr Richard Sherras said: “I’m totally opposed to this because there is no guarantee that the building will be demolished or that work will be carried out quickly.

“There are other ways of dealing with this problem.

“If there is a problem with the dereliction of the site then it does not mean the issue has to go through planning."

Mr Thornber said: “I have gone through this for seven years.

“I am hoping that the requirements are met from the subsequent planning meeting that we will be given permission to build four houses.”