Historic pub sold for housing

STAR INN: closed for six years

ONE of Saddleworth’s iconic pubs has been sold for property development.

The Star Inn, on Huddersfield Road, Scouthead, was bought six years by a team of locals but has remained closed ever since.

Now Jonathan Barlow of Uppermill has bought the building for an undisclosed sum and plans to turn it into three houses.

He said: “The place has lots of history and I want to retain that.”

The inn holds a key position at the junction of Platting Road, Doctor Lane and Oldham Road.

The Star formerly belonged to a Midlands pub chain and was a favourite among tourists, with stunning views over the Pennines.

According to local pub history, the pub was built in the early 1800s to front a new turnpike road from Oldham to Yorkshire.