A DISCOUNT supermarket has finally submitted proposals to Warrington Borough Council to build a new store on the site of the Sportsmans Arms pub in Penketh, but residents have already submitted objections to the plans.

Netto hopes to secure planning permission to demolish the Warrington Road pub and build a new supermarket on the site.

The proposed store would be a single storey building with 73 car parking spaces, including four disabled spots and cycle hoops.

There are also plans to create a new footpath through the car park to encourage residents to walk to the store.

The Sportsmans Arms pub is still open for business but in the planning documents Netto have said it is due to close in 2017 when Marston’s brewery terminates its contract.

The documents claim that takings at the pub have dropped in recent years and that the business will not be able to stay open.

However, a prominent campaign to save the pub has objected to Netto’s plans, as reported previously by the Warrington Guardian.

Residents have strongly criticised the plans and one neighbour said: “If the council care about the people who elected it, they will turn down this application from a rapacious and uncaring company.

“The Sportsmans if the oldest and the only traditional pub in the centre of Penketh and it is among several buildings of age and character along the main road.”

Another resident said: “This can’t go ahead! Penketh needs the Sportsmans!

“We don’t need or want a Netto.”

The campaign group, Save the Sportsmans Arms, has also applied for the pub to become an Asset of Community Value and if the ACV is approved it could delay planning permission and enable the community to explore other options for the pub.

But in the planning documents Netto say they have ‘far exceeded’ the required level of community involvement and have held several consultations with residents.

They said: “A drop-in event was held in April 2016, which indicated a high level of support for the proposals with 53 per cent of respondents in favour of a Netto store over other options, including a drive through restaurant.

“Netto has received a number of positive calls from local residents, including some located very near to the site.”

To view the full application visit planning.warrington.gov.uk.

A consultation period will run until June 15 and to make an objection write to the Development Control Support Team at Warrington Borough Council, 26 – 30 Horsemarket Street, Warrington, WA1 1XL.