Future unclear for former Borrowash pub site

The derelict former Wilmot Arms pub in Derby Road, Borrowash. From Eddie Bisknell.

The future of an historic Derbyshire pub that has been derelict for years remains unclear, following a fire and planning delays.

After seven years derelict and four years after planning permission for its conversion into homes was granted, residents near the former Wilmot Arms pub in Derby Road, Borrowash, have lost faith.

The former watering hole, dating back to the 1850s, had a complex history, with some residents remembering it fondly, whilst others say that a certain clientele in its latter stages gave it a “bad reputation” it never shook off, and it closed for good in 2019.

However, residents agree on one thing: the plot has become an “eyesore” at the entrance to the village, and they urge the previously planned developer to “get on with it”.

In early 2022, Erewash Borough Council granted permission to Green 4 Developments Ltd, based at Hopwell Hall in nearby Ockbrook, to convert the main former pub into two houses, while demolishing part of the complex and the neighbouring garage to build seven further houses.

The company, run by Steve Binch, would create a further gated community of houses, much like a similar existing development opposite the site.

In April 2023, a fire broke out in the adjoining building, which was set for demolition and had served as the function room.

Since then, the former function rooms have been demolished and the rest of the site, short of the main pub, has now been cleared.

The Land Registry shows that the pub itself was sold for £335,000 in May this year to Wilmot Development Limited, registered at The Barn at Hopwell Hall.

Companies House shows that Wilmot Development Limited is solely run by Mr Binch and was incorporated in September 2025 for the “development of building projects”.

Repeated attempts to contact Mr Binch and Green 4 Developments have been made, but no response has been received as of this article’s publication.

The former pub is on the borough council’s local list of “heritage assets”, but it does not have any specific protected status, such as being formally listed by Historic England or as an asset of community value.

In its planning application, the developer had written: “Whilst it has no statutory protection, the applicant has chosen to convert the building rather than demolish it.

“It concludes that there is some significance in terms of its history as a public house, but the lack of original features and the number of external changes have reduced that significance. 

“The retention of the building will ensure that a local landmark remains.”

In reference to its former reputation, the developer had written: “It is contended that the removal of the public house use and industrial activity will have a positive effect on the local area. 

“In recent years, the premises had been a source of crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Greg Maskalick, said he had been given a tour of the former pub by the developer and said he was “surprised the walls didn’t fall in around us, it is in such a dilapidated state”.

He said the walls were bowing in, leading him to the conclusion that: “I would rather see it pulled down and replaced with two or three houses, similar to what was approved.

“It is in really bad shape. The developers are doing their due diligence and are doing a lot of research into building homes that are so environmentally friendly that they effectively cost the homeowners nothing in utilities.

“The building really does need to come down. I want to see houses put up on the site, there is a housing shortage and we need the homes.

“After a few years of it being left dilapidated, I complained to the developer because I didn’t feel it was fair to the residents of Ockbrook and Borrowash parish and to his credit, they quickly came and cleared the site.

“It will be a development of mid-sized homes, which will free up starter homes elsewhere.”

Nearby residents say they are “fed up” with the lack of progress and want to see the plot put to good use.

One resident said: “I am happy they have cleared it now. I don’t miss the pub, they had some customers who were rougher before it closed.

“I am quite happy with the plans for the pub. It used to be a house, so that makes sense.

“Just get it done, it is an eyesore.”

Another resident who has lived in the area since 2014 again urged the developer to “get on with it”, whether it was houses or the reopening of the pub.

Edward Hunt, aged 90, has lived near the pub for 60 years and welcomed the quiet now that the venue was closed, saying it was “quite noisy”.

One neighbouring resident said “it would be better if it was demolished”, as long as it “isn’t replaced with three-storey high flats”.

Debbie Hawkins, who has lived close to the plot for 15 years, said: “It is an eyesore. Anything would be better than this. It looks awful.

“A few houses sounds better than nothing happening to it. There is only one pub left now, really, which is a shame, a shame it went how it went.”