Villagers in Broxton are livid about plans to call time on an historic pub and demolish it to make way for new homes.
For decades, the Durham Heifer pub has been at the heart of the small village, having some kind of public business on the site since the 18th century.
So residents were shocked to learn that developer Michael Nield Homes are planning to raze it to the ground and build three new detached houses in its place.
They say they only found out about the plans through a letter of notice from Cheshire West and Chester Council, and claim they’re totally in the dark day-to-day about when the pub might close its doors.
Jaqui Walker who lives opposite the pub, is one of the driving forces opposing the plans and has set up a petition to try and stop what she believes will ‘ruin’ the village.
She told The Chronicle she was extremely concerned that the rural hamlet where she lives will eventually be turned into a busy town, and fears if these plans go ahead, it will set a precedent for more development on green belt land in Broxton.
“We have just been kept totally in the dark about hat’s being planned for the pub. It’s just not right,” she said.
“There has been a building on that site since the 18th century – it’s part of the village, and the last thing we need in this village is more housing.
“There are dozens of other houses in the village up for rent, so we don’t need any more.
“We want the pub to stay as a going concern. Obviously in an ideal world another pub would take over, but we, and the landlord, just don’t know what’s going on with it at all, although it’s been said that contracts have already been signed and that it’s a done deal.
And Jaqui said she has other concerns about why she thinks homes should not be built on the land.
“It’s not right to build houses on,” she said. “For one thing, they would be built on a pond, which means there are issues of newts and bats to consider.
“Also there are no nearby amenities for families here – it’s not the ideal place for family homes.
“You make the choice to live in a village like this when you can afford to, not in the type of houses they want to build here.”
Jaqui added: “They are trying to turn this small village into a town and there are enough people here already.
“You’re not just dealing with locals – it’s all the visitors who come here too. Broxton is part of the Sandstone Trail – and people opt to come here for things like animal friendly pubs.
“We don’t need more homes. And once there is permission for this one, that’s it. It sets a precedent.”
A CWaC spokesman said: “We have received a planning application for three detached homes with garages on the site and in February we put up a site notice and sent letters to the four houses opposite the pub.
“At present we have asked for more information from the applicant and a decision on the planning application made by a planning officer, is expected by May.”
A representative for Michael Nield Homes had not responded to a request for comment by the time The Chronicle went to press.
