Plans to replace Wolverhampton Goalpost pub with petrol station opposed

Asda wants to demolish the pub, now called Lounge 107, which has long been a favourite for Wolves fans on match days.

But plans for a new petrol station are recommended for refusal.

Council leader Roger Lawrence was among those to oppose the plans.

A report states that the proposed 24-hour filling station could cause anti-social behaviour and that queues could cause traffic chaos on Waterloo Road particularly on match days.

The Goalpost was a traditional fan pub for Wolves supporters for many years.

It is still open as Lounge 107 which also has a shisha lounge.

Two other traditional Wolves pubs - The Wanderer and The Feathers - have closed in recent months, leaving fans short of options for match day drinking by Molineux.

The report which goes before Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee next week lists a host of reasons why Asda's application should be refused.

It states: "The proposal would result in the loss of this attractive corner building and its replacement with something which, by comparison, would detract from the present established character of the vicinity.

"The proposals would lead to queueing vehicles on Waterloo Road, causing congestion problems and the proposals would affect the safe free-flow of traffic, particularly at peak times and Wolverhampton Wanderers match days."

A petition of support with more than 300 signatures had been submitted with the application.

But among those to oppose it was council leader Roger Lawrence, whose ward the pub falls in.

Councillor Lawrence had concerns about traffic problems and about a fibre optic cable which runs underground next to the site, which he said would cost £1million to move.

"I was worried about the traffic implications and I had concerns about a very important fibre optic cable on Waterloo Road.

"It would have cost £1m to move it and I raised that issue."

"It's not a good location (for a petrol station). I don't like to see any pubs go and we've got a number of grounds for wanting to object."

The planning report also states there was insufficient evidence in the application to allay fears of extra anti-social behaviour on the site if the petrol station was open for 24 hours.

The Wanderer, now owned by Wolves, has been flattened to create more match-day parking.

And The Feathers, opposite where The Wanderer used to be in Molineux Street, will be turned into student facilities by the University of Wolverhampton.