Appeal win for 56 Penketh apartments

The former Sportsman’s Arms pub on Warrington Road will be demolished to make way for Churchill Retirement Living’s scheme.

Plans had been rejected by Warrington Council on grounds of character, appearance, and whether enough homes adapted for wheelchair users had been included in the scheme.

The Planning Inspectorate has found in favour of the developer after Churchill lodged an appeal.

Churchill proposes to create secure and self-contained accommodation for older people in their 60s and above.

According to the developer the scheme is designed to enable independence, and low maintenance living.

A mix of one- and two-bedroom bedroom apartments is planned, with communal space, including an owners lounge, coffee bar, and garden, along with 18 car parking spaces.

In the appeal decision notice, planning inspector C Beeby dismissed objections to the plans, adding the need for this type of accommodation proposed for the area outweighed some of the concerns.

Writing in the report, the inspector said: “Planning practice guidance indicates that, nationally, the need to provide housing for older people is ‘critical’.

“In light of these considerations, the scheme’s delivery of this type of housing, in a location with good access to facilities and public transport, attracts significant weight.”

Adam Mooij, managing director of Churchill’s Northern region, 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.

“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.”

On the project team, the design and access, and appeal statements, were put together by architects Planning Issues, Churchill’s in-house planning and design consultancy.

The transport statement was by Paul Basham Associates, with the flood risk and drainage assessment by Awcock Ward Partnership (AWP).

James Blake Associates is the landscape architect for the development, while Paul Basham Associates is advising on transport.

The arboricultural assessment has been produced by Tyler Grange.

To see the planning inspectorate report in full, visit the government’s appeals casework portal, and search for the reference number 3327682.

To view the plans on Warrington Council’s planning portal, search for the reference 2022/42736.