Council says 'no' to pub conversion (From Warrington Guardian)

Council says 'no' to pub conversion

A PLAN to convert two historic stables at The Saracens' Head pub into 'playbarns' has run into trouble.

The new owners of the Wilderspool Causeway pub wanted the buildings to be play areas for kids, complete with disabled facilities.

But they say Warrington Borough Council has told them they cannot alter the red-brick buildings.

"We are just completely devastated," said Dan Hill, who took over the pub two months ago with his wife Jade.

"I said to the man from the council 'would you rather it fell down' and they said 'you are not allowed to touch it'.

His wife Jade said: "At first the council said you can do anything as long as you don't alter the outside. All we were going to do with the outside was put some Perspex windows in."

The stables, each as big as a house and with cobbled floors, are currently empty.

The couple have now started a petition.

John Groves, the borough council's head of development control, said: "We are more than happy to continue to provide advice on the need for planning permission and the potential response to any application that may be required.

"The stables are not listed buildings but specialist advisers within the council's planning team have visited the site and have been able to contribute to discussion.

"Any development, which does require planning permission will be subject to the normal processes of publicity and notification, and if appropriate, will be considered by the Development Control Committee."