PLANS have been approved relating to redundant buildings which are in disrepair at the former Burtonwood Brewery.

Thomas Hardy Burtonwood Ltd sought full permission for the demolition of the brewery buildings and the construction of an extension to the adjacent bottling facility to provide additional storage.

This has now been approved by Warrington Borough Council’s planning department.

Brewing giant Molson Coors confirmed in December 2020 that it was planning to close Burtonwood Brewery on Bold Lane by September 2021.

It pulled out of the historic site, which it shares with Thomas Hardy Burtonwood bottling plant, putting 25 jobs at risk.

Thomas Hardy Burtonwood sold its brewery to Molson Coors in 2015, but its remaining operations on the shared site were unaffected by the move.

The former is behind the new plans, with the demolition of buildings aiding an expansion of the bottling business.

Planning documents state: “It is the intention that a full planning application will be submitted to seek permission for the demolition of redundant brewery buildings and structures, and the construction of an extension to the adjacent established bottling complex to provide additional storage.

“The site is an established industrial site which has developed and grown over many years.

“The first brewery on the site was depicted on the 1893 Ordnance Survey map, and since then the brewery has been updated and expanded.

“The Burtonwood Brewery site was vacated by Molson Coors in September 2022, and the applicant acquired it in October 2022.

“The former kegging facility was re-roofed and repurposed as warehousing by the applicant, while the remaining brewery complex is redundant and has fallen into disrepair.”

They add that the proposed development also includes the construction of an extension to the existing Thomas Hardy bottling complex to provide additional storage for both empty and full bottles.

In total, eight letters were submitted relating to the application – one of objection and seven of support.

The plans were approved subject to the Secretary of State not wishing to intervene, with a letter confirming that the application has not been ‘called in’.

A decision document states: “The proposed development is, by definition, inappropriate development in the green belt.

“Although no physical encroachment, there would be harm to the green belt in relation to openness.

“There would be other harm as a result of the proposed development, including to the character of the area, landscape and views.

“There would be a number of benefits to the scheme, including supporting and facilitating the operational requirements of an existing, well-established local business, and significant socio-economic benefits including job creation, economic investment and potential training and skills.

“There would also be environmental benefits from a reduction in carbon footprint and a significant increase in biodiversity.

“The site is also considered to be deliverable and there is an absence of alternatives outside of the green belt in Warrington.

“The benefits of the scheme clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt and the other harm caused by the proposal.

“They are therefore considered to constitute very special circumstances which justify inappropriate development in the green belt.”

The departure of Molson Coors brought to an end more than 150 years of beer production at Burtonwood Brewery – which dates back to 1867.

Molson Coors said that the move would ‘help to drive efficiencies’ within the business, with production transferred to other sites in the UK.