PLANS have been lodged to bring the site of the vacant Old Hall Country Club and Spa in Chester back into use.

A proposal for the extension and conversion of the existing buildings off Aldford Road, Huntington, to create a residential development have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The site, which permanently closed as a country club last year, comprises two existing Grade II listed buildings known as Old Hall and two cottages – one of which is vacant while the other is tenanted – formerly used as leisure facilities.

It is proposed to create a total of 13 homes – nine houses and four apartments – as well as a number of new-build garage blocks.

According to the plans put forward on behalf of Alchemette Chester Ltd, a section of the larger listed building is a tenanted dwelling.

The full planning and listed building consent applications, prepared by Liverpool-based Pegasus Group on behalf of the applicant, state: "The proposal is for the conversion and extension of the existing barns from leisure to residential uses, in total creating 13 new dwellings comprising nine houses and four apartments.

"Parking will be accommodated in new-build garages. A landscaping scheme will also be implemented throughout the site.

"Access will remain via the existing lane taken off the B5130. A total of 34 car parking spaces will be provided – 18 of these will be accommodated within new-build garage blocks, with the remaining 16 located throughout the site for resident and visitor use.

"The tennis courts will be retained for the private use of residents. A bike and bin store has also been incorporated into the proposed layout."

It concludes: "The conversion will be sympathetic to the listed barns and their surroundings, with the external appearance remaining largely unchanged.

"The existing site layout ensures that residential amenity will be preserved as there will be no overlooking, loss of privacy or light.

"The proposals will bring disused Listed Buildings into a new viable use that will secure their future.

"The scheme will enhance the appearance of the buildings through the removal of unsightly accretions and clutter."