Nine months to put a house in order

PLANNERS have given a Warrington pub landlord nine months to put his house in order.
If he does not put in an acceptable planning application for the existing rear extension, it will be refused planning consent and will have to be torn down.
The extension – which was put up without permission – is at the Grade 2 Listed King’s Head, in Winwick Street, Warrington.
Planning officers recommended that a retrospective application be refused, meaning the extension would have to be removed.
But members of the borough council’s planning committee approved a temporary consent of nine months to give time for an acceptable scheme to be submitted.
More than 370 people had signed an online petition supporting the landlord, including people from as far away as Australia.
An enforcement notice has already been served on the applicant because of work carried out in contravention of Listed Building regulations.
He has appealed – and the outcome of his appeal is expected no later than the end of March
A report to the committee said the applicant was seeking temporary consent for 12 months to allow time to have talks with planners with the aim of securing a high-quality, long term solution to problems at the pub.
But councillors decided to grant permission for only nine months.
The extension takes the form of a conservatory at the rear of the historic building.
Planners say it fails to preserve the building, its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest.
“The scale, design and construction of the extension is at odds with the listed building to which it is attached” they say.
Retaining the extension even for 12 months would result in decay to the fabric of the historic pub.
Pictured (right): The extension, shown in relation to the Listed Building and (left) the pub itself.