PROPOSALS have been submitted to Warrington planning chiefs for the conversion of a long-established pub bowling green to a beer garden.
The retrospective application – the bowling green at the Stag Inn, Walton, has already fallen into disuse – is currently being studied by borough council planning officers.
Documents submitted with the application state that the number of players using the green has dwindled since the Covid 19 pandemic.
Two teams – men’s and women’s – which used the green have disbanded because no volunteers have been found to take on the role of greenkeeper. The previous greenkeeper has had to retire due to ill health.
As a result there is no-one to tend the green and maintain it to the standard required by competition rules.
The bowling green was last used in October last year and since then the grass has been allowed to grow and benches were placed on it in April this year to allow the community to still enjoy the outdoor space, although in a difference manner.
The cost of engaging a professional grounds maintenance company to manage the upkeep of the bowling green has been explored but has proved to be prohibitively expensive at around £12,500 per annum.
There are said to be more than 30 other bowling greens in Warrington – including two near The Stag at walton, at the Red Lion pub and Alexandra Park, Stockton Heath.
1 Comment
The green at the Red Lion went a couple of years ago the pub used it as an outside space during covid and it’s not been bowled on since.