THE owner of a historic former pub in Moordown has outlined plans to demolish the building to prevent squatters moving in.

Despite not requiring planning permission due to the building not being listed, Bournemouth council has been given the details of how the Horse and Jockey pub building in Wimborne Road will be knocked down.

The pub closed down last year, a year after being reopened as the Smoking Outlaw before which it operated as the Horse and Jockey for more than 150 years.

In the application form submitted alongside the proposed details of the demolition work, it says that the landowner intends to “redevelop” the site subject to planning permission, although no details of any replacement have been provided.

A statement submitted with the application says that the reason for knocking down the building prior to any permission being in place is to prevent squatters from moving in.

It says: “To avoid the opportunity of squatters inhabiting the building prior to the site being redeveloped (subject to planning permission), it is proposed to demolish the building.

“Doing so will also prevent the exterior of the building being vandalised and windows smashed, which could lead to detrimental harm to visual amenities.”

The statement adds: “As the works are permitted development, local and national planning policies cannot form part of the decision-making process.

“The site is not a designated heritage asset, nor in a conservation area.

“As such, there are no material considerations which would count against the proposal.”

Under the plans outlined in the application, demolition work would begin in early January with the aim of the site being cleared by the end of the month.