Developer wins planning appeal and can now convert former pub into one-bed flats

PLANS to convert a former pub into 14 flats which were turned down by Bolton Council have now been granted after the developer won an appeal.

Johnsons Construction now has permission to convert the former Church Hotel in Kearsley into one-bedroom homes.

The plans were previously rejected by councillors who said the plans for the building would mean ‘overdevelopment of the site’ and result in a loss of privacy for neighbours on Church Road.

They also said there was a ‘lack of a bin collection area’ and ‘insufficient external private amenity space’ in the plans.

An appeal hearing before a planning inspector dismissed those reasons and granted the application.

An appeal decision notice by the Planning Inspectorate, said: “I consider the privacy levels of the occupiers of existing properties on Church Road would be maintained.

“Some of the proposed flats would have their own private outdoor amenity space.

“The other occupiers would share a communal outdoor space of around 115 sqm.

“I therefore consider the proposed private outdoor space areas would be satisfactory for future occupiers of the flats.”

The site is a two-storey, disused pub with residential accommodation on the first floor.

It has disused stables and small holding to the back of the building with access off Church Road.

The former pub is next to St Gregory’s RC Primary School and used to have a beer garden.

Johnsons Construction now has permission for the conversion and extension of the pub to form 14 apartments.

There will be 13 one-bed and a single two-bed unit over three floors.

Various extensions and alterations include the demolition of the existing single storey side extension and replacement with a two-storey extension to the side. a dormer to the rear roof and a first floor rear extension.

The former stables will also be knocked down.

The plans saw 15 letters of objection from neighbouring households.

Complaints included that the ‘two storey side extension will reduce access to the site and increase congestion when entering and leaving, that ‘parking is an issue for existing residents and an ‘increase in traffic congestion on an already congested street’.

Other objections included ‘one-bed apartments will be used for social housing and will lead to anti-social behaviour’ and that the ‘site would be better suited to houses’.

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