DEVELOPERS are seeking permission to build eight detached houses on a derelict pub site more than two years on from their first bid to develop the land.

The houses are earmarked for the site of the boarded-up Black Greyhound pub in Wincham, which would be demolished as part of the scheme by Isle of Man-based Countrywide Investments.

The derelict pub and adjacent restaurant have been targeted by vandals and arsonists, and the site was fenced off to stop fly-tipping after calls by Wincham Parish Council for it to be secured.

In February 2015 an application for 17 properties was submitted and later withdrawn, and a further scheme which was submitted in July 2016 was also withdrawn.

Land Planning, agents for the developers, said following discussions with members of Wincham Parish Council and the case officer the current scheme had fewer houses, which were positioned as close as possible to the overall footprint of the existing, developed part of the site.

“Having been empty for a number of years, the building has fallen into disrepair and the site is overgrown and unsightly,” said a report by Land Planning accompanying the new planning application.

“In addition it has suffered from unauthorised parking of travellers’ caravans, and has been broken into on more than one occasion.

“A full landscape scheme to include further tree and hedge planting will form part of the details at the reserved matters stage.

“This is a previously developed site and as such, policy supports the development of such sites, if within sustainable locations.

“It is accepted that any form of development will affect the openness of the greenbelt.

“However, in this instance, with the site being previously developed, relatively enclosed and in a sustainable location, offering community facilities, it is believed that any harm to the openness of this relatively small, enclosed site will be outweighed by the benefits the development will offer.

“Although the application site is within a greenbelt designated area, this is a brownfield, previously developed site, offering an idea opportunity for improvement and redevelopment.”

Approval for the scheme is being sought from Cheshire West and Chester Council.