Hotel to be demolished to make way for houses

A THREE-star country house hotel will be demolished to make way for 36 new homes if Warrington planners give the go-ahead.
Nine apartments and 27 houses would be built on the site of the Rhinewood Country House Hotel, which stands in its own wooded grounds in Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook
The proposal is being opposed by Glazebrook Residents Action Group who claim it would be out of character with the Green Belt and result in an unacceptable 10 per cent increase in the size of the village.
They say the scheme would result in the demolition of a beautiful and historic building which should be classified as a Grade 2 listed building.
The Rhinewood Hotel was originally built as a vicarage and dates from the late 18th century. But it has been completely rebuilt and is now a modern hotel and restaurant catering for leisure and business clients, weddings and other functions.
Local councillor Paul Bretherton has lodged an objection on behalf of residents.
He says there are no local transport links, with the nearest bus stop more than a mile away. There would be little if any economic benefit to Glazebrook as shops, GP surgeries and clinics are all in Culcheth or Irlam.
Three storey apartments would be totally out of character with Glazebrook village and the development could set a precedent for further “hostile” planning applications in the future.
The residents action group points out that Glazebrook has no doctor and the nearest school is more than a mile away. The loss of the hotel would mean the loss of 20 jobs and there was no evidence of a need for additional housing. Currently there are 14 houses on the market in the village.
If the hotel was not proving profitable, it would be highly suitable as an old folks’ home or convalescent home – either of which would provide jobs for local people.
There are also objections on the grounds of traffic problems, loss of trees, and impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
They say the new development would have 292 sq metres less floor area than the existing hotel and would be restricted to parts of the site already developed, so would have no greater impact on the Green Belt than the hotel.
They also believe there is adequate existing infrastructure to support the development.
Pictured: The hotel, as it was several years ago.