THE former Ship Inn in Walton is to be turned into houses.

Plans approved by Warrington Borough Council last week mean the old pub on Chester Road will be converted.

Fourteen houses will be built using the building, and on adjoining land.

Officials from Walton Parish Council objected over concerns it is a ‘daunting’ location to exit due to oncoming traffic on Walton Road.

More houses and the associated traffic from developers could increase the risk of an accident, they said.

Planning officers said 30mph signs could be moved further up Walton Road to warn drivers to slow down.

Other residents, including Gordon Greenshield, supported the plans as they plan to form a residents’ association with the new homes.

They would then look after woodland next to the site and spend ‘their own time and money’ on maintaining it.

The approach was praised as ‘magnificent’ by the planning committee.

It approved the application unanimously, providing traffic conditions are met.