PLANNING chiefs will decide whether to turn a Lower Stretton pub into an asset of community value after an application was submitted.

Applicant Stretton Parish Council sent Warrington Borough Council documents to provide information on how the the Ring O'Bells, on Northwich Road, has been used for community events in the past.

However, it has been informed the 'test' that proposals will need to meet is to show the 'primary use of the land' furthers the social wellbeing or interests of residents and will continue to do so.

If approved, the site will have 'additional protection' from development and the community will be given the chance to raise money to purchase the asset if the owner wishes to sell it.

Cllr Paul Kennedy (CON – Hatton, Stretton and Walton) is in support of the parish council's bid and put his views forward to planning officers.

He said: "The small community only has the Ring O'Bells as a community asset and it is probably the case that its true value to the community might only be known when it is gone.

"By formally making it an asset of community value it gives the community and indeed the wider community the opportunity to have a reasonable period of time to carefully take stock of the situation by considering its future viability, and their possible involvement and support to retain it as it is, if it becomes the subject of a development proposal that would mean it would cease to be a public house.

"It is my belief that such formal recognition would not unreasonably restrict or prevent the owners from seeking to develop their property, if its current use becomes unviable, and that the community is unable to muster the necessary support to retain it as it is."

The consultation period ends on February 16 and the application expires on March 13.