A WELL-known pub chain is planning to appear at a public inquiry in an attempt to establish a new business in Chorley.

JD Wetherspoon is set to appeal at an inquiry on October 8 and 9 after Chorley Council failed to make a decision to approve or refuse an application within the government guidelines of eight weeks.

The company applied for permission to change the use of the former post office sorting office building in High Street, Chorley, into a public house.

The council are now recommending that the application be refused at the development control committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday night because of implications for redevelopment in the area.

Eddie Gershon, of JD Wetherspoon, said: "We bought the premises back in December 2000 and we are now looking for planning permission to convert to a public house.

"Chorley would benefit from investment and new jobs which the business would bring to the town."

Mr Gershon added: "We offer something the majority of other pubs do not, including a no music policy.

"Some are no-smoking and this one would have wheelchair access."