A bid to bulldoze a derelict former Whitwick pub has been put on hold by the council which owns the site.

The Oak has been slated to be torn down for years, with the land set to be redeveloped.

Last month, it seemed steps were finally being taken to proceed with the demolition after North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) submitted a notice to clear the Talbot Street site.

The documents stated the "long-term vacancy" of the ex-watering hole was "causing health and safety concerns" and creating a "public eyesore".

However, the notice has now been withdrawn by the local authority.

An email from the council to neighbours of the site, shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, added that the works had been "pushed back to an indeterminate date".

Photo: Coalville Nub News

The LDRS asked the council the reason for the works being halted.

Andy Barton, strategic director of communities at the council, said: "Unfortunately we discovered an error in the planning application we made which related to specific legislation around the demolition of pubs.

"Applications for prior approval for demolition do not allow for demolition of any pubs, which have to be treated differently to other buildings.

"Therefore we were unable to continue with that application and had to withdraw it whilst we prepare a new full planning application.

"This is a planning formality and our intention for the site hasn't changed, and we will continue to work to bring the redevelopment forward."

Ann and Stephen Nicholson live next to the site, and previously claimed they had had several issues with squatters on the land, weeds climbing over and through their fence and rats getting into their garden.

The state of the building and its overgrown grounds are also stopping them from selling their home, they told the LDRS last month.

Photo: Coalville Nub News

Ms Nicholson said she found out the plans had been withdrawn after she emailed the council for an update.

She said she was "so upset" when they found out the work would not be going ahead.

The council added in its email to the couple that it had ordered the clearance of areas of land closest to the Nicholsons' garden and that this was under way. The council also said it was discussing setting up "a routine for maintenance" of the site to ensure it was maintained "periodically".

The land had been expected to be redeveloped for council homes, with planning permission previously given for eight new 'affordable' homes on the site in October 2021. NWLDC said in the subsequent demolition notice that the plan given permission was to be "amended".