Demolition of former Chevys pub begins with flats planned

Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee granted planning permission for Chevys Sports Bar in Padgate to be bulldozed back in April this year.

And workmen have moved onto the site, at the junction of Manchester Road and Padgate Lane, this week.

Part of the building – which dates back to the 1870s and was previously known as the Cemetery Hotel, the Good Companions and Formbys, but has been vacant since the pub’s closure in 2017 – has already been torn down.

A block of 30 flats, 23 of which will have one bedroom and the remaining seven including two, is set to be built in its place.

Some residents had objected to the development, raising concerns over traffic, parking and the design being out of character.

The original designs were described as being ‘like a prison, imposing, bleak and an eyesore’.

How the scheme could look

Amended drawings then reduced the number of residential units from 34 and added 32 car parking spaces.

Manchester-based applicant Alderley Holdings Ltd stated that the cost of repairing the establishment would be up to £750,000.

Committee member Cllr Peter Carey said during the virtual meeting in the spring: “It’s a very prominent location, right on the crossroads facing the cemetery entrance.

“At present, it’s in a very dilapidated condition.

“When I saw the design layout, I must say I was quite pleased to see that it was going to be of a domestic scale – it wasn’t going to be another high rise.

“So that was a plus point from my point of view, and I think it adequately fits in in this location.”

“It is a difficult location to satisfy, but I think on the face of it this does appear to be a reasonable attempt not to overdevelop the site.”