Plans to build on site of gutted pub
AFORMER pub in Widnes gutted by fire could be demolished and replaced with houses after plans were drawn up.
Last May, the Albert Hotel on Albert Road caught fire in what police described at the time as a ‘suspicious’ incident.
Firefighters from Widnes, Warrington, Runcorn and Frodsham responded to the blaze and more than 20 residents were evacuated from their homes as it raged.
Roads were also closed for several hours and Detective Inspector Ian Whiley from Widnes Local Policing Unit said in the aftermath that it was a ‘serious incident’ which caused ‘widespread disruption’ for residents and businesses in the area.
Proposals have now been lodged with Halton Borough Council to demolish the fire damaged remnants of the former pub and build six terraced homes in its place.
A design and access statement submitted as part of the plans said that the pub closed approximately five years ago and proposals were granted in May 2013 to convert it to six residential buildings.
Work had begun to make the structure watertight and begin internal building.
The statement said an ‘intruder’ broke into the Albert Hotel and ‘set fire’ to it.
It said: “The partly finished new stud walls and exposed roof timbers contributed to a fierce blaze which gutted the shell of the building, which has been made safe, but which will eventually have to be demolished.
“Discussions have been held with the planning authority who were keen to see the fire damaged building removed and new residential accommodation introduced. ●
“The planners noted this is a prominent site and needs a quality development and a design that turns the corner of the site visually.”
The plans suggest six two bedroom ‘affordable’ terraced houses each with a small rear garden and a secure rear gate.
If given the green light, there will be four dedicated parking spaces and new public seating on a grassed area at the front of the new homes is also suggested to ‘visually soften this important road corner’. ●