New plan to demolish Lymm Hotel set for approval

THE controversial plan to demolish the historic Lymm Hotel to make way for retirement and care homes comes before Warrington planners tomorrow (Wednesday) – with an officers’ recommendation for approval.
It has been slightly modified from an earlier scheme which was turned down by the borough’s development management committee in April.
But it is still strongly opposed by the local community. Nearly 200 residents have lodged objections, as have local borough councillors and Lymm Parish Council.
There are objections also from Lymm’s two GP practices.
Brookfield Surgery – which is closest to the proposed development – claims the health care likely to be needed by the influx of elderly residents would “overwhelm” local health services.
Lakeside Surgery says it is already struggling to cope with the care needed by local nursing and care homes.
The Lymm Hotel is a much loved local building and is locally listed. In particular it is famous for accommodating the Brazilian football team, including Pele, for the 1966 World Cup. But it has also housed many other international sports teams and former prime minister Herbert Gladstone.
The plan involves demolishing all existing buildings and replacing them with three storey care and retirement homes and a two storey children’s nursery.
Objectors say the development amounts to gross overdevelopment of the site, will create traffic problems and is too remote from local bus services and Lymm’s shopping centre.