A LANDMARK pub in Penketh is set to be demolished to make way for new housing.

Fresh plans to flatten The Sportsman's Arms on Warrington Road and build 16 new affordable homes in its place are set to be discussed by councillors next week.

A scheme for six new homes, which would have involved keeping the pub open, was approved in 2019 but no development ever started.

That came after the pub was saved from becoming a Netto supermarket following a campaign from Penketh residents who secured it as an asset of community value.

After the supermarket chain collapsed, the Warrington Road pub’s future was thrown into doubt once again.

The new scheme, submitted to Warrington Borough Council last year, would see 16 new homes built along with space for car parking.

The plans, which have been recommended for approval, are slightly revised from 17 proposed last year in a bid to retain more trees on the land.

Thirteen neighbours have objected to the plans saying Penketh does not need more housing and raising concerns about parking.

The Victorian Society meanwhile has 'strongly urged' that the historic building be reused and adapted as part of any development of the site.

A statement added: "The building is a surviving part of the historic built environment in a prominent location, and an important reminder of the historic townscape before Penketh’s late 19th and 20th century expansion."

The pub last operated in 2017 and the building is currently empty.

Planning documents state: It is considered that the proposed development would deliver a high quality residential environment in a location which is accessible by sustainable means of travel and is well located in relation to the wide range of services and facilities in the nearby Penketh local centre and Warrington town centre.

"The application has been recommended for approval and will be discussed by members of the development management committee on Wednesday at 6pm.