Former pub in Padgate to be demolished as council approves plans

The Jolly Falstaff, on Blackbrook Square, has been vacant for a number of years and the site has remained unused.

Plans previously drawn up to demolish the Blackbrook Square pub were withdrawn last November, before being promptly resubmitted.

“Due to the public house being unused for some time, and there being no desire for reopening, the proposal is for the public house to be demolished,” documents stated.

“The public house will be demolished down to ground floor slab level, with the slab and foundations remaining in situ.

“Any areas where walls or other structures were previously situated will be made good with hardstanding to ensure there are no hazards when the demolition works have been completed.

“The site is currently unused and will remain unused after the demolition works. There are currently no firm plans to redevelop the site at the time of this application.

“The major feature of the design is to provide a safe site, with no hazards for the public accessing the site.”

The pub has been plagued by anti-social behaviour (Image: Google Maps)

Anti-social behaviour has plagued the site, with Cheshire Police frequently requesting that youths stay away from the pub.

The last public appeal was in July following two incidents in the vicinity of the building within a week.

Youths were moved on from the boarded-up site by officers, who commented that it had been the subject of drug use, arson and general anti-social behaviour around the period.

Days later, youths threw a brick through a nearby car window while a woman was sitting inside making a phone call.

Plans to demolish the former pub and tarmac the land were submitted to Warrington Borough Council while the future use of the land is determined.

At a Warrington Borough Council planning meeting, Cllr Judith Wheeler questioned why the site could not become a green space instead of being tarmacked.

It was heard that tarmac would be preferred by the applicant to maintain safety of the site in the interim period between any future developments.

While two members of the committee abstained from voting, the rest voted to approve the plan allowing the vacant former pub to be demolished.