The former Falstaff pub in Southport town centre, which has been empty for the past two years, will be converted into new apartments after plans were approved by Sefton Council this week.
The landmark building, at 68 King Street, will be redeveloped to accommodate a total of ten self-contained flats, with an additional eight adding to the two already on site.
The pub was built soon after the end of the Second World War.
The application was submitted by Enes Gonultas of Penrith Property Management Ltd to Sefton’s planning department in May 2021 and was approved on 14th March 2022.
In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie wrote: “The building is towards the edge of the town centre however it is outside the Primary Shopping Area.
“The site has been vacant for at least two years and given its position to the edge of the town centre and within a street whereby the vast majority of properties are residential, its conversion would not harm the character of the area. The scale of the development is relatively small and would not compromise the vitality or viability of the town centre.
“There is nothing substantive before the council to suggest that the occupation of the building for residential purposes is unsustainable in the area. If balanced correctly, the introduction of residential properties within town centres can contribute to an enhanced vitality as occupiers are well placed to more regularly utilise the services and offerings of commercial enterprises within an established town centre.
“The conversion of the pub for residential purposes would repurpose a vacant property and could improve the visual appearance of the building which can make a minor positive contribution to the character and appearance of the adjacent conservation area.”
The application was submitted by Bill Wadkin Consultancy, on behalf of Penrith Property Management Ltd.
They said: “The extent of the development is to modernise the existing fabric by refurbishing the existing ground floor level and first floor level to create ten self-contained living accommodation units comprising three one-bed units, five studio units, one three-bed unit and one four-bed unit with amenity space to the front and rear yard.
“The proposal has no requirement to change the footprint of the building and seeks to retain the existing character of the building within the area. The elevations particularly onto King Street will be largely unchanged.”
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