Pub’s historic outbuilding to make way for new house

A PLAN to demolish an outbuilding to a historic pub – itself demolished two years ago – has been given the go-ahead by Warrington planners.
The building, adjoining the site of the former Ship Inn in Chester Road, Walton, will be replaced by a new house.
Nearby residents, Walton Parish Council and borough councillor Peter Walker all opposed the scheme.
But the borough council’s development management committee decided it could go ahead.
The committee was told the scheme, submitted by owner Mike Dunn, involved demolishing the property but retaining existing boundary walls.
A new, two-storey building would be erected on the footprint of the existing building, but away from the boundary walls. There would be a two-storey extension at the rear.
Walton Parish Council argued that the scheme undermined the planning process and would not have been allowed had it been submitted at the time the former pub was being demolished.
Neighbours said the building’s footprint should not be increased.
Planning officers recommended the scheme be approved. They pointed out that the building was not locally listed, nor listed because of its association with the former Ship Inn. It had been substantially altered and had little or no historic merit.
The replacement building would be similar to the existing one and would also be similar to properties on Chester Road.