A LANDMARK pub could be demolished to make way for a small housing estate and a convenience store.

SRH Property Ltd wants to knock down The Greenwood Arms, in Chorley New Road, Horwich, and build 12 homes.

If given the go-ahead, there will be 10 four-bedroom semi-detached homes, and two four -bedroom detached houses, along with parking, the store and two other units.

The land to be developed includes a disused, overgrown bowling green at the back of the pub.

After closing in August, 2009, the Greenwood Arms was bought in February last year.

But repeated vandalism, despite the building being secured, saw the pub reopened in a bid to stop the attacks.

In a statement on Bolton Council’s website, agents Sedgwick Associates, said: “It is anticipated there will be some local opposition to the proposed development as the public house is currently trading.

“However it is only open because the owner chose to find a tenant instead of having to deal with the frequent incidents of vandalism that occurred when the building was vacant. The pub is only trading now to avoid further break-ins and vandalism and as such to prevent it becoming a local nuisance.

It is trading at a loss and is not viable in the medium term.”

The application has caused concern because of the building’s character.

Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage, said: “The Greenwood is not listed but it is a building of great character and it would be sad to see it go.

“The trouble is making pubs of that size viable in this day and age. The character and quality of the building will be difficult to replace.”

The planning application will be discussed at Horwich Town Council tomorrow night.

The meeting is at St Catherine’s Primary School, in Greenstone Avenue, Horwich, at 7.30pm.