A SPOKESMAN for developer Elan Homes has said the company is unable to comment on the collapse of a building which caused rush hour chaos in the town last week.

The former historic Ship Inn was demolished after one of the side walls of the building caved in on Thursday.

The building sits on a plot of land which is under development by Elan Homes.

It was previously reported that the former pub, which has also housed Jahan Indian restaurant, was expected to be turned into apartments with a completion date set for the entire development as 2017.

But Elan Homes have confirmed that the building was always going to be a single dwelling.

A total of 14 homes were also to be built on the land off Chester Road.

Despite repeated calls from the Warrington Guardian, a spokesman for Elan Homes has said the company can't comment at this time.

But Cllr Paul Kennedy (Hatton, Stretton and Walton - CON) has said he has been able to speak to Elan Homes about his concerns following the building collapse.

He said: "I think the main questions remain about what will become of the land

"We are now waiting to see what new planning application will be put forward for the site – if the plans will be similar or if it will be a new idea for the plot of land.

"I know some residents are very annoyed by what has happened – some did not oppose the planning application because the plans incorporated the use of the former Ship Inn.

"I am waiting to see what the plans are and I will respond accordingly."

Police closed Chester Road for around two hours from 3pm while a clean-up and assessment of the area took place on Thursday.

The road was closed in both directions between The Stag and the entrance to the crematorium while the building was made structurally safe but was reopened at 5pm.

Police have confirmed that there were no injuries following the incident at 2.55pm in Walton.

Witness Phil Duffy, 61, from Callands, described his shock after realising the building near his work place had collapsed.

He said: “I just heard this loud noise and I couldn’t see what had happened at first because there was dust everywhere."

“There was debris in the road. I was quite shocked.”