ARSONISTS target- ed a derelict Victori- an pub — just days after plans were submitted to build 13 homes and a con- venience store on the site.

Firecrews from Hor- wich and Bolton Cen- tral were called to the blaze inside the for- mer Greenwood Arms, Chorley New Road, Horwich, just after 8pm on Friday.

Arsonists broke into the derelict building, which is surrounded by a high fence, and set fire to rubbish on the ground floor.

Firefighters prevent- ed it spreading to the rest of the building.

Police confirmed it was being treated as arson.

A police spokesper- son said: “Officers attended and discovered material had been deliberately set alight inside the build- ing.

“Inquiries are ongo- ing.”

Neighbour Gillian Sinclair said: “It’s an eyesore, something needs to be done.”

Vanita Ladhani, ownerofCandMoff licence, next door, wants the building restored to a pub.

She said: “We need a football pub here because there is nothing for the Bolton Wanderersfans.

“Having the building like that with the fence around has halved our business and there are always kids hanging around outside.”

Last week, Sedgwick Associates, acting on behalf of Jolu Ltd, submitted plans to Bolton Council to transform the site by building 13 homes, and a two-storey building containing a shop, a two mixed use units and two apartments. It is the third application to build shops and homes on the site after the first two were rejected.

A planning applica- tion to demolish the building has already been passed by Bolton Council.

The Greenwood Action Group, who launched a campaign against the previous plans, said they would be opposing the devel- opment They are calling for the pub, which dates back to 1899, to be saved and re-opened.

Roy Greenhalgh, chairman of Claypool Residents Association, said: “It is over-devel- opment, we have had smaller plans knocked back and there is no difference now.”

In planning docu- ments submitted to Bolton Council, Sedg- wick Associates says the proposal will cre- ate 20 jobs.