Ex-cannabis farm in Wiltshire could have exciting new use

Four County Inns, the firm who owns The Unicorn on Melksham’s Bath Road, have shared plans to split the long-closed site into several different properties.

The site has been derelict for years, and more recently became a hotspot for crime and antisocial behaviour, with a cannabis farm discovered on the site in 2023.

The owners have said they hope to split the pub into three dwellings and a micropub, with a yard and common area.

They said that the structure has bulging external walls due to the removal of internal walls used to create the pub and later restaurant out of a terrace of three-storey single cell 18th century cottages.

They also said these internal walls will have to be reinstated to current building standards which can cause conflict with the demands for Grade II listed building conservation.

Consent to remove the rear additions to create the smaller pub with a beer garden and the potential office, both with accommodation above, and parking will also be required.

Plans drawn up by Four County Inns to transform The Unicorn (Image: Four County Inns)

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Four County Inns Ltd added they have done some work on the site, including clearing almost 25 tons of cannabis farming residue, fire damaged materials and more from the site.

However, they now are looking to collaborate with a local developer or builder in this project that could benefit the community.

The property has now been put up on Rightmove again at a price of £115,000 and is being marketed by the owners themselves.

According to a new listing of the property on Rightmove, the “offer to investors and developers is about half of the former Unicorn Bar and Restaurant for alternative use.

“The building retains part of the classical Georgian frontage. The other half is to retain the pub use.

“It is expected that a single buyer or both buyers will cooperate in restoring the building and in the business operations.”

As has been previously reported, police officers discovered a cannabis factory inside the derelict pub in March 2023, following a report of a suspected burglary at the address.

Forensic teams placed a cordon around the property and dismantled the factory after finding more than 200 plants.

In November 2023, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of arson after fire crews were called to a blaze in the kitchen area of the ground floor.