Work has finally started to transform the ‘eyesore’ site of the former Robin Hood pub in Helsby into a £1.5m housing development – to the delight of parish councillors.

The Chronicle has previously featured the community’s despair at the lack of progress at the derelict spot on Lower Robin Hood Lane, after the boarded-up drinking hole was set alight by arsonists in 2011 and then demolished.

But now the Cheshire Plains housing scheme, which will comprise one apartment and seven four-bedroom and five three-bedroom properties, is well and truly under way.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, who in the past described it as a ‘blight on an otherwise well-kept village’, said: “I think everyone concerned and all Helsby residents are very pleased to see this development going ahead and are looking forward to seeing the new homes.”

Robin Hood pub once stood on the site on Lower Robin Hood Lane
Robin Hood pub once stood on the site on Lower Robin Hood Lane

Cllr Chris Ellams has also welcomed the ‘great news’.

“I look forward to seeing the completed houses occupied.

“There was some concern that the turn pike stone had been removed and a piece of village history had been lost but I have contacted the contractors and they have it in safekeeping and are happy to reinstate it when construction is complete.

“It is sad, however, to see another historic public house within the village disappear.”

Cheshire Plains is being built by Manchester-based Harbur Construction on behalf of Halebank Developments.

Chairman at Harbur Construction Christian Bury said the scheme will ‘end years of uncertainty for local residents by regenerating this eyesore site, but will also house up to 71 people and help plug the need for high-quality family housing in this area’.

Tom Jones, chairman at Halebank Developments, added: “Halebank’s Cheshire Plains scheme will bring this dilapidated site back into use, offering properties in a number of different styles to help meet a variety of housing need for local people, while also helping Helsby families and young couples onto the housing ladder.”

Work is expected to be completed in January 2016.