THE historic 16th century Raven Inn pub at Glazebury looks set to have been saved from the bulldozers.
Warrington based property developers Osborne and Co have written to campaigners who have set up a fighting fund to save the pub, saying they have “accepted the views of the majority of objections” and now plan to “change the layout and include the Raven into the amended layout.”
Chairman Michael Osborne wrote: “We should be able (at great cost as the property is structurally very poor) to leave the visual impact of the building unchanged which should protect it forever.
“Obviously this will not satisfy those who wish it to remain as a pub but we are informed that the pub is not viable.
“The brewery themselves disposed of it some years ago (they rarely sell a successful unit) and two businesses have failed since. There is simply too much competition in close proximity.
“We hope these satisfies the majority of local people and would be pleased if you feel able to offer some support to our revised scheme.”
After being contacted by warrington-worldwide Mr Osborne went on to add: “It is our intention (subject to planning of course) to convert The Raven into two residential units and keep the front and side elevations as far as possible in the original form.The rear needs aesthetic and structural improvement .
“If the Raven operates as a pub again the problem is only likely to be deferred with another developer taking his scheme forward at a future date.
“This is a golden opportunity to save the iconic look of the Raven for all time.”
Meanwhile more than 450 objections were made to the controversial plan to demolish the 16th century inn and build 10 houses on the site.
Following on from a large scale protest outside the premises around 30 supporters of the Save the Raven campaign gathered at the pub for another demonstration.
They then walked along Warrington Road into Culcheth village, pausing briefly on the village green before moving on to the Partridge Lakes café on Glazier’s Lane for tea and a snack.
The group’s next fundraising event in on Friday, March 1 when there will be a 70s/80s disco at Culcheth Sports Club (The Daten) with a raffle and games.
There will be a £5 entry fee and all money will be in aid of the Save the Raven fighting fund.
2 Comments
Good to hear that there is hope for it being saved from the bulldozers and incorporated into the new housing scheme.
On a sort of cynical note though (sorry) I hope it doesn’t go the same way as the locally listed SHIP INN on Chester Road (Lower Walton). That too was earmarked for saving after a battle at planning and was due to be retained and renovated into two residential properties along side the new build houses….but then one day part of it ‘accidentally’ fell down into the road and the whole building was then promptly demolished in record time. I’m sure you all read about that though. Fingers crossed the same doesn’t happen with this lovely old building and that Osborne and Co and their contractors/developers take care with it 😀
My thoughts entirely Dizzy. There was also the barn, older than the Raven in Thelwall (?), for which planning approval to be adapted into dwellings was conditional on the original being retained. That met its untimely death because the builders were using it as a drying room and “a heater set fire to drying work wear over night!” An excuse in the same unconvincing vein as the Ship Inn’s “soft stripout by an electrician.” Where were WBC enforcement ensuring planning compliance on either of these avoidable but convenient incidents?