Lymm Hotel saved (From Warrington Guardian)

Lymm Hotel saved

PEOPLE power proved to be the key ingredient as controversial plans for Lymm Hotel were thrown out.

More than 60 residents packed into the Town Hall to hear planners vote unanimously against proposals to demolish the famous hotel and build five four-storey apartment blocks on the Whitbarrow Road site.

Tim Martland, speaking on behalf of the residents, said: "Four-storey apartment blocks are unlike anything built in Lymm previously.

"The buildings would be far higher than any others and the overall result would be a massive change to the area."

Warrington Borough Council's decision on Wednesday to refuse the scheme, which comprised 62 apartments and underground parking, was met by shouts and cheers from the audience after objections to the scale of the proposed building and the damage it would do to the character of the area were voiced.

Clr Ian Marks said the blocks were more suited to a city centre rather than a rural location and the hotel is next to the green belt, the Trans Pennine Trail, a conservation area and Bridgewater Canal.

Clr Rita Cochrane added: "The increase in traffic would be a problem with a 63-bedroom hotel turning into 62 apartments, which would double the number of cars."

A hotel has been on the site since at least the end of the 19th century, and members of the Brazilian World Cup squad, including Pele, stayed there in 1966.

Officers had recommended approval to the plans, but councillors refused the application on the grounds of the scale and height of the design and the adverse effect on the character of the area.