Planning appeal leads to demolition of 178-year-old pub to build retirement scheme

A pub dating back to 1846 is to be demolished and replaced with a retirement living complex, following a planning appeal.

Hampshire-based Churchill Retirement Living has been granted planning permission to build 56 independent living retirement apartments at site of the former Sportsmans Arms pub in Penketh, Warrington, which closed in 2017.

It said the redevelopment will bring a thriving new community to the heart of Penketh, contributing around £435,500 a year to the local economy and supporting around seven permanent local jobs.

The new apartments will provide secure and self-contained accommodation designed to enable independence, freedom and low maintenance living for local over-60s.

In the appeal decision notice, the Government’s Planning Inspector, C Beeby, dismissed objections to the plans and acknowledged that the development would bring “considerable benefits” to the town.

Adam Mooij, Managing Director of Churchill’s Northern Region which is based in Warrington, said: “This is a very positive result and we will now look forward to starting work on this new development in Penketh.

“Retirement housing is shown to be the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend. The new apartments will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Penketh and the surrounding area.”