The saga of two derelict Helsby pubs which have ‘blighted’ the community for years continues to rankle parish councillors, but it looks like the developers of both sites may finally start work within the coming months.
The Robin Hood on Chester Road had been boarded-up for years before arsonists torched it in 2011.
Developer Halebank demolished its burnt-out shell the following month but the site has been dormant since.
A similar inactivity has beset the Horse and Jockey site, which was bought by Plumlife in late 2010 with planning permission for a housing development.
Cllr Chris Ellams said: “The lack of progress at both the Robin Hood and the Horse and Jockey sites continues to frustrate both the parish council and the residents of Helsby.
“At council meetings and parish surgeries the question is always raised as to when the developments will start.
“These two sites are a blight on an otherwise well-kept village.
“Cheshire West and Chester Council have made efforts to tidy up the Horse and Jockey site, but it continues to be an eyesore on entering the village.
“The lack of development also means the council does not receive any of the council taxes that would be collected when the developments are occupied, giving much-needed funding for the village.”
Cllr Terry O’Neill revealed the lack of progress at the sites was flagged up by the recent Neighbourhood Plan survey.
“The state of both sites certainly bothers the parish council and also our residents that responded to the Neighbourhood Plan survey, who suggested in numbers that these sites should be tidied up,” he said.
But it seems there may be resolution on the horizon. Peter Bojar, director of development at Plumlife, told the Chronicle that turmoil in the property market was a factor in the delay at the Horse and Jockey but confirmed that construction is scheduled to begin in the new year.
Mr Bojar said: “The delay in progressing development was in part due to the collapse of the property market shortly after we purchased the land. We felt it was prudent to wait until the market was in recovery.
“In addition, during 2012/13 Edwards Homes started building and marketing a residential development directly opposite our site, therefore it would not have been commercially viable to build our own homes until theirs had been completed.
“Finally, we had to commission a bat survey on the property before commencing work – and this can only be carried out in the summer months.
“Now this has been concluded satisfactorily, we are pleased to be moving forward with our plans to build 14 family homes, due to be launched for sale early in the new year.”
Helsby Parish Council understands that work at the Robin Hood site will commence in October.
Halebank declined to comment.
