Plans submitted for former Packet House pub to become 18-bed HMO

Plans were submitted to Warrington Borough Council in August which outlined the intention to transform 133-135 and 137 Bridge Street into a HMO.

Floorplans submitted with the application show that five bedrooms would be situated on the ground floor, as well as a shop.

Then, on the first floor, six bedrooms would be developed with the remaining seven on the second floor.

Each of the bedrooms would be ensuites and would be for single occupation only, meeting the property would not exceed 18 occupants at one time.

One kitchen would be shared by all 18 occupants and there would be no other communal spaces.

On the ground floor, and 46 square metre shop would be developed.

The building has been vacant for a number of years

As part of the application, a list of benefits the plan would have were also submitted.

“Redevelopment of a vacant building and previously developed land which will help address housing demand in Warrington and reduce pressure to develop greenfield and green belt sites,” it read.

“The proposals will secure the long-term future of the building and have been designed to be sensitive to its character and appearance, and the conservation area location.

“The proposed accommodation will be redeveloped and furnished to a high standard and provide housing for young professionals in a highly accessible and sustainable location in Warrington town centre.”

A heritage statement submitted with the plan notes that the former pub has been boarded up for ‘security purposes’ and addresses that the building is in ‘relatively poor condition’.

In the statement, it is confirmed that general maintenance and repair would be carried out to restore the building.

“Heritage features including cornice and corbels will be repaired and restored,” the statement read.

“Existing chimneys, and the roof of the building, are to be retained with appropriate repairs being undertaken.

“These works will dramatically improve the appearance of the building which is in poor condition following many years of vacancy.”

When the former pub was listed for sale, designs were added to Rightmove to show what the building could look like with the development of a 66-apartment block over six floors.

An impression of how the site could look after development caused controversy. Picture: Town and Country Property Auctions/Rightmove

Development plans for the building have been subject to wide debate, with a letter submitted to the Warrington Guardian about the design in 2023.

“The Packet House is indeed and eyesore at present, and it has cynically been allowed to deteriorate to its present condition,” said Tim Cleworth.

“The futuristic six-storey vision for the former Packet House is surely the stuff of nightmares and what King Charles would call a ‘monstrous carbuncle’ if he were still the Prince of Wales.”

While the new plans won’t make for quite as dramatic of a change to the building, it would add another HMO to the town centre.

Warrington Borough Council previously approved plans for a neighbouring property on Bridge Street to be developed into a mixed-use commercial and residential property.

However, at the end of September, a similar plan for 127, 129 and 131 Bridge Street to become a 10-bed HMO was refused.

The application is now pending consideration, and Warrington Borough Council is set to either refuse or approve the plans by October 24.