PLANS which will see a former pub converted into apartments have been approved by Warrington Borough Council.

The council has granted planning permission for nine new one-bedroom flats at the Bells in Bewsey.

Submission documents stated: “The Bells has been closed for a prolonged period, prior to which it was riddled with licensing and drug-related problems.

“These issues resulted in the premises’ licence being revoked, therefore prohibiting its use as a public house.

“Since closing, marketing of the premises has taken place – with the only interest to note being for a change of use away from a public house.

“As such, it is reasonable to assume that the site is surplus to requirements as a public house and an alternative, appropriate reuse of the building should be found.

“This application seeks consent for the repurposing of the redundant public house building in favour of a high-quality residential development.”

Warrington Guardian:

The application was initially lodged in summer 2019, before altered plans were submitted in September last year after concerns were raised around the configuration of the block of flats.

And WBC granted its consent for the development on Tuesday, May 4.

Previous proposals to convert the Longshaw Street establishment into a convenience store were refused planning permission in 2018 due to parking issues after dozens of residents had objected to the scheme.