PLANS to convert a former Cheshire village pub into a five-bedroom house have been given the green light.

The historic Calveley Arms on Whitchurch Road, Handley, has been closed since March 2018.

It is reported that the unlisted building first became a pub or inn during the mid-1600s.

The current owner lodged an application back in April this year to turn the boarded-up property into a five-bedroom house with extensions, alterations, a garage and garden space.

This was after "a commercial or community based project to continue use of the building as a pub" could not be found.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the plans yesterday (December 2).

In the planning application put forward on behalf of the owner, it states: "Donald Insall Associates was commissioned by Fisher German, on behalf of Chris Campion-Sheen, in December 2019 to assist in developing proposals for residential conversion of the former Calveley Arms.

"The former pub has been vacant since March 2018. Identified as a community asset it was hoped that a commercial or community based project to continue use of the building as a pub would come forward but this has not occurred.

"It remains boarded up for security and is currently in fair condition but, like any unused building, is vulnerable to deterioration. In order to find an economically viable use appropriate to the building and its location, the current owner identified residential use as the best option.

"The majority of houses in Handley are medium to large in size and like many areas of rural Cheshire are of relatively high market value.

"In order to fit with this wider market picture and local characteristic, the client’s project brief is for conversion of the former pub to residential use as a five bedroom house with a garage and garden space."

In a report recommending approval, council case officer Lyndsey Shinner says the building was renamed the Calveley Kitchen after the current owner renovated the property to create a restaurant over two floors with 65 covers.

She states that the majority of members on Handley and District Parish Council offered support or no objections to the proposal, with only one objection recorded.

The parish council highlighted that the conversion would bring about the loss of village amenity with the building being established as a pub/inn in 1645.

It did, however, add that the application would provide a "viable future" for what is a redundant building that has, despite numerous efforts over the years, failed as a pub/eatery venue.

Seven objections were received from the public with two in support of the proposal.

Mrs Shinner concluded in her report: "The status of the building as an Asset of Community Value is a material consideration which weighs in favour of its retention and demonstrates a level of interest within Handley of its value to the local community which is recognised and acknowledged.

"However, active attempts to secure the building for the local residents did not materialise and there has been a very limited response to its loss received against the application.

"It is noted that overall the Parish support the proposal and marketing evidence and viability have demonstrated that it is no longer capable of continued use for its existing purpose and an alternative facility is available.

"In this instance, the matters that weigh in favour of the proposal are sufficient to justify the loss of this community facility in this instance."