Rescue plan for old hall rejected

PLANNING bosses have thrown out the controversial “rescue” plan to convert Warrington’s historic Bewsey Old Hall into apartments.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee voted to refuse an application by urban renewal specialists Urban Splash to create seven apartments in the Grade 2 Listed building and build a block of 48 more apartments nearby.
In doing so, they went against the recommendations of their officers.
There had been strong objections from neighbours, councillors and local organisations, who claimed there would be a loss of green space, increased traffic congestion and a disregard for the heritage site, should the plans be given the green light.
Bewsey Old Hall is arguably Warrington’s most historic building. But despite various attempts over the years to bring it back into use, it stands virtually unused and in a deteriorating condition.
Its future now again hangs in the balance.
The hall was originally built by William Fitz Almeric le Boteler and was home to the Lords of Warrington from the 13th Century.
The manor house – described as Warrington’s “hidden gem” was lost in a gambling debt 700 years ago by the Boteler family.
It is reputed to be haunted and in 1997 a campaign was launched to turn it into a tourist attraction.
It was the second time the Urban Splash plan had been put to the committee and members inspected the site before reaching their decision.