Wigan Council in writing to Mike Moulding on the 7th August in response to formal complaints said they were not informed by the owners of the Fleece Hotel of their intentions to open a nightclub. This followed several denials in telephone conversations. On the 18th September Greater Manchester Police telephoned Mike Moulding in response to an invitation to attend a public meeting, GMP revealed that Wigan Council were in fact informed by the owner of the Fleece Hotel that they were opening a nightclub in a meeting held at the Fleece Hotel on the 2nd June. Presented with this evidence on the 2nd October despite several verbal and written denials Wigan Council admitted that when they issued the 4.30 am license on the 15th June they knew it was for a nightclub that had not got planning permission. Crofters Nightclub was set to open on the 3rd July until Mike intervened and reminded Wigan Council of planning regulations. The licensing process is deregulated and is much easier to bypass community concerns than the planning process. It is Mike Moulding's view that Wigan Council deliberately assisted the Fleece Hotel to help them bypass these community concerns by attempting to avoid the planning process. The Fleece Hotel's application to seek a 4.30 am license resulted in no objections to Wigan Council. The Fleece Hotel's planning application to convert part of their premises into a nightclub has resulted to date in 127 formal objections to Wigan Council. These results demonstrate the weaknesses to protect local communities under Licensing Regulations than the protection that can still be gained from planning regulations. Even under a deregulated system Wigan Council still gave the Fleece Hotel a 4.30 am license on the 15th June despite the fact that the public legal notice published in the Wigan Evening Post on the 30th May did not comply with the Licensing Act which should have been a legal requirement. Wigan Council are still taking objections. You can do this as follows :- Email to :- planningrepresentations@wigan.gov.uk or you can write a letter to :- Kevin Foster, Places Directorate, Economy and Skills, Wigan Council, PO Box 100, Wigan WN1 3DS You MUST quote the following details :- Application Number - A/15/81175/CU Location - The Fleece Hotel 9-11 Warrington Rd, Ashton in Makerfield WN4 9PL You must give your name and address. You can copy me in or for help email - mouldingmichael@gmail.com Confirmed to date :- 127 formal objections Over 700 signed petitions. It is anticipated that Wigan Council will make a decision in November. Can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support. Best wishes Mike Moulding