An historic town centre pub which called last orders nearly 10 years ago could be converted into flats.
Cobdens, in Stockport, dates back to the early 19th century and is a locally listed building within the St Peter’s Conservation Area.
Situated on the corner of Wellington Road South and St Petersgate, the pub - formerly known as The Manchester Arms - pulled its last pint in 2013.
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But now there are plans to convert the once-thriving boozer, and two adjoining buildings, into nine apartments.
The proposals, submitted by Southport-basd AH2 Ogwen Hall Ltd, include removing a conservatory and the construction of a new two-storey extension.
Internal work would also be carried out on the neighbouring buildings to enable the new flats to be created. All will be one-bed, with the exception of a single two-bed apartment.
A document submitted in support of the application, says the scheme has been ‘designed to be sympathetic to the historic character of both the locally listed former pub, and the adjacent buildings’
It continues: “Via the removal of the glazed conservatory, together with the repair and restoration of the building facades, including the replacement of several windows with timber framed windows, the scheme has been designed to contribute towards the buildings’ historic significance.”
The report adds that the extension will ‘not be prominent’ but has been ‘designed to appear as a modern addition’, while utilising traditional materials which complement 'the historic character of the buildings and conservation area'
The plans also include converting the basement into a new bin and cycle storage area, as well as the creation of semi-private communal space for future residents.
The first floor store rooms serving the shops that also make up part of the same ‘block’ would be unaffected by the project.
The applicant claims that the proposals would provide a host of benefits, including securing the building’s long-term future, while also preserving its historic architectural features.
A planning report argues the scheme will secure ‘direct investment’ into the community through the provision of construction jobs, while future residents will spend money in the town centre area.
It claims this will also encourage ‘further investment into Stockport’,while new homes will aid ‘natural surveillance’, thereby helping to ‘reduce crime and the fear of crime’.
Stockport council will decide whether to grant the scheme planning permission in due course.
