A PROPOSAL to demolish an 18th century pub will be "heart-breaking but essential" because the building is "falling down".

Plans have been submitted to transform The Red Lion pub in Wigan Road, Westhoughton, into a block of sheltered flats for patients with dementia.

Woodlands Care had previously intended to keep part of the old pub after winning approval for a partial demolition, but has now opted to knock the whole building down.

Councillors said the move would cause Westhoughton to lose one of its most historic buildings, a trend that would make the town "soulless".

But Westhoughton Town Council leader Cllr David Chadwick said the move was necessary as the building is leaning by about 10 degrees and it would be unfeasibly costly to repair it.

He added that it was crucial members acted to ensure the pub did not ultimately collapse on passing pedestrians and vehicles.

Members voted to back neither approval nor refusal, simply expressing their sadness at the plans and imploring Woodlands Care to find another way if possible.

Cllr Freda Henderson, for Wingates, said: "I am just concerned that we might be demolishing something that is more historical than we know about.

"Westhoughton's history is very industrial and the time of the civil war has not been explored to the same degree, and this building is a link to that time.

"I would like to know more about the history of the building before I could recommend that it be lost."

Cllr Chadwick said: "In the past I have supported the retention of this building because of its historical value to Westhoughton.

"But the building is in danger of falling down and the front elevation is leaning by perhaps 10 degrees.

"Either the building is demolished, which people may not be happy with, and that is something the developer will have to live with, or they do nothing and the building falls down.

"We have a duty to protect children, pedestrians and vehicles on Wigan Road from this happening."

Cllr Christopher Peacock, Bolton Council's cabinet member for adult services, said: "Unless English Heritage have stamped the side of the building there is very little anyone can do to stop someone developing it.

"We need a dementia care home in Westhoughton. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a home in the middle of our town centre that a lot of people will use.

"It is heart-breaking but it's a decision that has to be taken."

After taking the vote, mayor Cllr Kevan Jones said: "This is a sad day."