A 92-year-old pub, threatened with demolition to make way for a block of retirement flats, has been designated an Asset of Community Value.
The designation of the Blackburne Arms by Warrington Borough Council, gives new hope to campaign group The Friends of the Blackburne Arms who are fighting to keep the Orford Green pub open.
Although not a statutory Listed Building, the pub is a well-known landmark in the area and is a Locally Listed Asset because it dates from 1928 and is named after Robert Ireland Blackburne, a former nobleman in the original rural parish of Orford.
The Blackburne Arms has gone through difficult periods, at one time being closed by its owners and on another being raided by police on suspicion of drug dealing going on there.
But more recently it has been trading successfully, attracting local residents and those from further afield.
A planning application to demolish the building and erect retirement flats on the site has been strenuously opposed locally.
More than 1,000 letters support an objection to the application submitted by the Friends of the Blackburne Arms, an online petition attracted 272 signatures, and there have been objections from local borough councillor Mike Hannon, the Orford War Memorial Recreation Club and the local allotment society.
The Friends say the pub supports local sports teams, is easily accessible by the elderly and disabled, raises about £5,000 a year for charity, has play equipment for local youngsters, hosts live music and craft fairs and has a wide range of wildlife in its grounds.
Pub owners EI Group plc have entered into an agreement to sell the pub to property developers and application to build retirement flats on the site is due to be heard by Warrington’s development management committee next month.
But the borough council has decided it is realistic to believe the Blackburne Arms could continue to serve the social interest and wellbeing of the local community in the future and h as agreed to list the building as an asset of community value.
This gives the local community six months to raise the money to purchase the building with a view to it staying open as a pub.
