Proposals for a new retirement complex and shops in the centre of Broughton village have been knocked back by councillors.
AdvertisementMidas Land Limited wanted to knock down the current Touch of Spice restaurant on the Broughton crossroads.
Previously the Golden Ball pub they applied to build a three-storey apartment block along with a new two-storey office block and shops.
Developers amended the plans in December to change the layout of the residential part of the scheme.
More than 130 letters of objection from Broughton residents were received, with Wyre and Preston North MP Ben Wallace, Preston Rural North councillor Neil Cartwright and Broughton Parish Council also objecting.
Council officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but councillors decided to vote against the scheme.
Chairwoman of Broughton Parish Council Pat Hastings said: “The planning committee had actual control over this application as the five-yearn housing land supply does not apply.
“The proposed building was put into context with references to the height being 27feet, or two double-decker buses and referencing the scale of the St George’s Centre entrance at the Fishergate end.
“I think the developers need to have an open meeting with the villagers to discuss the development.
“No one is against the concept, just the current design and the loss of the pub building and restaurant.”
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Blog Preston contacted Midas Ltd for comment but received no response at the time of publication.
The restaurant has a blue plaque on its side, from when it was the former Golden Ball pub.
Dating back to the early 17th century the site has been used for eating and drinking for centuries.
The current building dates back to around 1925 and has seen a number of modifications since.
A blue plaque sits on the Whittingham Lane wall of the restaurant to mark how on May 6 1787 the Golden Ball hosted the first meeting of the Broughton Catholic Charitable Trust.
This was formed to assist the poor of the district after a smallpox epidemic and the trust continues to this day.
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The site remained a pub until the late 20th century when it became an Indian restaurant and has been known as the Bay Tree, the Gate of Bengal and lastly a Touch of Spice.
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