Secret drugs farm discovered in disused former Doncaster pub

Officers found cannabis plants were being cultivated inside the former Palfrey’s Lodge pub building, at Acacia Road, Cantley.

Now residents are calling for something to be done to find a useful purpose for the disused building, more recently called Cantley Lodge.

Police said they were called early on Saturday morning after hearing about a ‘disturbance’.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: “At 7.20am on November 14, police responded to reports of a disturbance at a disused building on Acacia Road, Cantley.

“Officers discovered a large cannabis set-up inside the building.”

“An investigation is now underway to identify and locate those responsible.”

Coun Nick Allen, who represents Cantley on Doncaster Council said he was aware of a planning application for the site and hoped a use could be found for the building, which has not been open as a pub for months.

He said he was sorry to hear about the drugs incident and thankful to the police for their work.

He added: “However, there is a positive path going forward. I was happy, recently, to learn about a proposed change of use which would turn Cantley Lodge from a pub into retail units including, possibly, a hairdressers.

"This would be a step in the right direction. It’s something Cantley would benefit from. This is depending on the views put forward by local people and actions taken by the council. However, I am sure this proposal could be successful for Cantley - in the long term as it would avoid some of the upsetting issues we have seen historically.”

His fellow councillor Neil Gethin said in July that he understood the pub would not be re-opening as a bar.

In June 2017, police sealed the pub off after shots were fired outside towards the building.

A month later, a closure order was issued by a judge at Doncaster Magistrates' Court following an application by South Yorkshire Police to 'prevent any further disruption to the local community'.

That meant the venue had to be kept closed for a week.

Police at the time said 'a number of incidents connected to Cantley Lodge' were identified during a review of all licensed premises in Doncaster.

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