THIS is how a former pub on the outskirts of Lymm that has been closed for almost a decade is set to be transformed.

As reported by the Warrington Guardian last month, The Stamford Arms pub in Little Bollington has been granted planning approval by Cheshire East Council to be refurbished.

Specialist landscape architect practice Land Studio, which has offices in Cheshire and North Wales, is part of a project team working to transform the derelict pub into a series of bespoke family homes.

The practice is working with Novo Property Group on the development.

Almost 18 months in the making, the proposals for this heritage site on the road between Lymm and Altrincham, will see the restoration and conversion of the former public house into nine affordable apartments, the conversion and restoration of the stable block and coach houses into five mews cottages, as well as four new bespoke family homes on the former car park.

They have all been designed by award-winning Altrincham base Project 3 Architects.

As part of the planning application, Novo worked with Land Studio to minimise any impact on the Green Belt site’s existing established trees and hedgerows.

Simon Richards, founder and director of Land Studio, said: “Green Belt is one of the highest levels of designation land can be given.

"We carried out a detailed Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to identify the predicted impacts of the proposed scheme on the environment from twelve possible viewpoint locations in both summer and winter.

“We also demonstrated how the new development could be an improvement on the existing derelict site and how new more appropriate planting would help have a positive impact on the surrounding landscape character, the North Cheshire Green Belt and nearby Dunham Massey, itself a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

“We’re proud that the site has received planning permission and work will soon be unde rway to restore the Stamford Arms buildings for a sustainable future.”

Once complete, all nine apartments in the main refurbished pub building are going to be available to buy as shared ownership products representing 50 per cent of the total units. Importantly, these apartments will be offered to Little Bollington residents first.

This approval would not have been possible without the hard work and generous support of the local residents and groups, including the Parish Meeting, Little Bollington Primary School and Church, as well as the National Trust and Cheshire East Council.

A spokesman for Novo Property Group, said: “The Stamford Arms is a building of significant local interest, which is located at the gateway to the village.

“The importance of the building has always been at the forefront of our minds throughout this process, and we can’t wait to get started on returning it to its former glory so Little Bollington can once again be proud of this special building.”