CHESTER restaurant Et Alia, which operates within The Red House on the Dee Banks, has responded after the Council approved plans to replace the building with seven new apartments.

The business took to social media to confirm to customers that despite "ongoing speculation" the restaurant is "open for business as usual." The Red House has been the subject of a development saga which appears to have come to a controversial end after plans were approved following an appeal by the Pegasus Group.

Via a Facebook post, Et Alia said: "Dear customers,

"Further to ongoing speculation Et Alia is open for business as usual.

"The planning permission is in the name of Sterling Properties. However the owner of the property the Red House granted a lease to Et Alia to occupy the premises for 5 years so the doors are open to welcome you!

"Lets enjoy a pizza and peroni.

"See you soon.

"Team Et Alia."

Many have responded to the social media post, saying that the response was "wonderful news", urging others to enjoy the restaurant whilst it remains open and to support the business which has been caught in the middle of a tug of war over the desirable location, which overlooks the River Dee.

The Pegasus Groups plans for the apartments, which would be created following demolition of the existing building, would see two four-bedroom properties, four three-bedroom properties and one two-bedroom property, each to feature an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space with views overlooking the river and access on to a private terrace/garden or balcony.

The initial proposal from the Pegasus Group was rejected in June 2021. An appeal was then submitted in December 2021, which has since been approved.

The building, which had been the subject of a successful campaign by local residents in June last year to be listed as an Asset of Community Value was adjudged to be "surplus to the needs of the local community" at the appeal hearing with the report identifying "various other existing community facilities where it is possible for members of the community to gather on both a formal and informal basis".

The development has been given a standard three-year time limit during which work must get underway, with the condition that the work be carried out in strict accordance with the submitted plans.