PLANS have been put forward for the demolition of a historic pub in Darwen and the building of homes on the site.

The Punch Bowl Inn, Roman Road, has been closed since March following the retirement of landlady Jean Powell.

An application to pull down the pub and build 10 semi-detached properties on the site by Hearles Builders and Contractors will come before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s development control committee on Thursday.

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Officers are recommending the plans be approved in spite of several objections from nearby residents.

These include claims that the pub is of historic importance to the town and that new homes would lead to parking and traffic issues.

Bryn Postlethwaite, one of the objectors said: “The Punch Bowl Inn has been in existence since the late 18th century and it is understood to be the second public house in Darwen.

“I feel therefore it would be a great loss for the history of Darwen to allow it to be demolished.

“English Heritage have been contacted with the view to get this building listed in order to save it.”

Other residents have complained that the area in which the pub sits, on the corner between Roman Road and Pothouse Lane, already has busy roads and fear that building work could lead to safety problems.

They say that extra traffic from the new homes could increase the risk of an accident.

Resident George Ginn, of Pothouse Lane said: “Parking will occur outside on Roman Road and Pothouse Lane as it is more convenient than driving in and parking in a set bay.

“Both of these roads are extremely busy roads and any parking at the top of Pothouse Lane and Roman Road could lead to possible accidents and congestion.”

Concerns over how the development will look visually within the area have also been expressed.

Mr Ginn said: “The proposed development would not suit the area as it is predominantly bungalows and stone built terraced houses.

“I think it would look very out of place in this environment.”

Members of the borough council’s development control committee will consider the plan on Thursday at Blackburn Town Hall.